Platy Fish Care & Tank Set up Guide

Platy Fish is a Prime Option for a beginner in Fish keeping hobby. These fish are hardy & easy to care for. Below information would help with setting up a Platy fish tank & Aquarium care Guide.

Basic Information about Xiphophorus (Platy Fish) –
These fish are native to Central American region. Naturally occurring species includes Xiphophorus maculatus or southern platy & Xiphophorus variatus , these species are inter-breed even with Swordtail fish to achieve various colors & patterns. Most Platys can grow over 2 inches in length & live over 3 years. Natural habitat of Platy’s include slow moving waters ditches small ponds which are usually vegetated. Platies are live-bearers like guppies mollies & swordtail fish

Male Platy – Cloacal fin is modified into a gonopodium a reproductive organ. Caudal fins are pointed
Female – Cloacal fin of females are usually fan shaped.

Common Names of Platy Fish – Southern Platy, Southern Platy, Comet Platy, Two Spot Platy, Mickey Mouse Platy, Panda Platy fish, Wag tail platy fish ( in the video) etc

Aquarium Care of Platy Fish –
Tank Size – 3 to 4 Platies can be housed in a 10 gallon however Ideal size is 20 Gallon as this fish breed fast.
Filtration – Water movement should be minimal for Platy fish unlike Swordtail fish.

Water Parameter (for most types of Platy fish)
Temperature range – 70.0 to 77.0° F (21.1 to 25.0° C)
pH range – 7.0 to 8.0
Water Hardness – 10 to 19 dGH

Tank Decor – Planted Tanks are Ideal for platy fish with rocks & lots of hiding places.

Tank mates- Mollies, Guppies, Zebra Danio & other similar sized non-aggressive fish (Swordtail fish will breed with Platies)

Food – Platies are Omnivores they eat readily available food like flakes, pellets, freeze dried worms, Live food like Daphnia, Blood worms, Baby brine shrimps.

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Twitter – @AquaKri

Music – A Good Day on the African Planes by Doug Maxwell

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