Platy – Complete Guide to Care, Breeding, Tank Size, and Disease

Platy Overview

Platy (xiphophorus) is a very popular tropical freshwater fish species held by aquarists around the world. They are extremely beautiful, small fish and come in every single color imaginable. Part of their popularity is due to the very low experience needed to keep them. Males grow to about 1.5 inches and females, being a little bigger, can grow up to 2.5 inches. Platies are native to both Central America and North America. There are numerous types of platies, but all are hybrids of two species heavily interbred in order to reach their full potential. The two most common species are Southern platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) and Variatus platy (Xiphophorus variatus).

As most other species from the Poeciliidae family, platies are great fish for both beginners and experienced aquarists. They are easy to keep and breed and their potential is great.

Platy Appearance

This small, beautiful fish comes in various beautiful colors ranging from beige, pale yellow, brown to muted orange and deep black. They come in four varieties of red – blood red, brick red, coral red, and velvet red.

They often get confused with a molly for having similar features. The pointed heads and fanned-out midsections give them the illusion of a diamond-shaped body. The platyfish do not have the distinct lateral line common among the Xiphophorus species.

Types of Platy Fish

Comet Platy

Orange and yellow are the most common types of Comet Platy fish. They have striped tails, and the caudal fin has black outlines on either margin. 

Gold red platy fish

The color ascends from yellow in the front to a deep red at the back. This gives the Gold Red Platy fish a beautiful sunset gradient. It has black and translucent tails. 

Hifin Platy Fish

The Hifin Platy fish has an elongated dorsal fin. Countless colors and patterns are available. However, elongated fins can often lead to serious diseases for the fish.

Mickey Mouse Platy Fish

This fish has a mark of a mickey-mouse shape on its tail. They come in a lot of colors but are pretty rare.

Pintail Platy Fish

This is not as common as the Hifin Platy fish. They have a pointed tail like a pin. The center of the pin is spread out with a pointy end. 

Rainbow Platy Fish

These fishes have an iridescent hue like a rainbow and have a black tail. Colors can range from light to darker shades.

Salt And Pepper Platy Fish

Tiny black spots like pepper are scattered all over the body of this fish. The color of the pattern is always black. However, the basic color on the fish’s body can vary from lighter to darker shades.

Tuxedo Platy Fish

The posterior portion of this fish is black, making it look like it is wearing a tuxedo. The combination of black and red is the most common, but other variations are also available.

Platy Fish Lifespan

Platy fish can live up to 2 to 3 years in an aquarium tank. It is crucial to keep the fish in an exceptional environment that can mimic their natural habitat. Stress-free conditions, clean water, and the required nutrition are vital to thriving.

Platies are hardy fishes. They can survive in a lot of different water conditions. Make sure to use a proper filter and keep them in slightly alkaline water to ensure a longer lifespan. 

Platy Fish Size

The maximum length of a Platy is about 7 cm (2 in). The females can grow up to 3 inches as they are longer than the males. The southern Platy fish is a little bit larger than the other variables.

These fishes take about four months to grow to a full size. Adults in a community tank can often eat baby platies before four months. Hence, it is better to keep them separate for four months.

Platy Fish Natural Habitat and Origin

Platies are native to both central America and north America. They are also abundant along the east coast of southern Mexico. These freshwater fishes are of two species – Xiphophorus maculatus and Xiphophorus variatus.

They are usually crossbred with each other or sometimes with other swordtail fishes. The Platies that we buy as pets are more colorful than the wild ones. Both the species are abundantly available in the wild and the pet trade.

Platy Fish Care and Tank Setup

Platy Fish Tank Size and Specification

Optimum Tank Size for Platy Fish

Although platies are very small, they are an extremely active species. They love being in groups, but they are not a schooling fish.

Having more than five fish in a ten-gallon tank is not recommended. There should be plenty of open space for the fish to swim and release energy. When it comes to the male and female ratio, the best thing you can do is keep a group with one male and at least three females. This will help in reducing the stress females are often exposed to.

Tank Shape for Platy Fish

A rectangular tank shape is best for platyfish. In a rectangular tank, the water surface area is larger than the volume of water. This is crucial for the exchange of gasses with air. Securing the tank with a lid is a must as platies can often jump out of the tank.

Platy fishes are ideal for community tanks. Many fishes will need a healthy exchange ratio between gasses and air for their survival. Hence, a rectangular tank is the most suitable option for a platyfish.

Filter Type

Proper filtration is essential for the setup of a platyfish tank. Filtration helps keep the water clean and reduces ammonia and nitrate levels in the water.

If you want your platies to thrive, you should definitely pay attention to water filtration.  The filtering system should be able to keep the water in great condition and get rid of waste or excess food that will harm the water quality. Experts point out that great water conditions are particularly important for Swordtail platies, as they are more vulnerable to poor water conditions than other variations.

Filters that produce strong currents are not good for these fishes. They prefer slow-moving water. Platies do not make a lot of waste, but a proper filtration system will help clear toxins from the water.

Substrate

Platies do not swim at the bottom of the tank. They are not really picky about the substrate. A dark-colored substrate helps to enhance the vibrant colors of the fish.

Gravel and sand are good options as a substrate for a platy fish tank. You can also leave it bare at the bottom to give a clean look to your aquarium.

How Many Platy Fish in A Gallon Tank?

A ten-gallon aquarium should be just enough for a group of 5 adult platies. They are peaceful fishes, and it is absolutely safe to keep more than one in a tank.

Water Conditions

Water Temperature

Platies prefer water temperatures in the range of 70-77⁰ Fahrenheit. They are tolerant to temperature and water fluctuations but take care of sudden water parameters changes. These types of changes can lead to stress and should be avoided.

Water Flow Rate

The water flow should be slow as platies are accustomed to slow-moving water. They are not very large. A high current in the water will make it difficult for them to move. 

Ph Level

Platies are tolerant to a wide range of water conditions. As for the water pH, platies thrive in slightly alkaline water, ideally ranging from 6.8 to 8.0.

Water Hardness

The water hardness should be anywhere between 10–28 dgh.

Platy Tank Landscape

Best Plants for Platy Fish Tank

Plants inside a tank will act as hiding spots for platies and make them feel at home. Hardy plants like hornwort, duckweed, and java moss are suitable. These will survive the alkaline water conditions inside the tank.

Floating plants are also a great option as they often swim on the surface. Platies do not eat live plants inside the tank. However, they can sometimes nip at hair algae.

Decorations For Platy Fish Tank

Natural decorative items like driftwood or rocks are suitable for a Platy Fish tank. They are great at recreating the ambiance of their natural habitat. Planted tanks are a bonus!

Platies swim a lot and love to play inside the tank. Hiding corners or plants that can serve as shelters are great for them.

Lighting For Platy Fish Tank

It is best to avoid harsh lighting inside a platyfish tank. Moderate lighting is best during the day. Dim lights at night will mimic their day-to-night cycle in a natural habitat.

Feeding Platy Fish

Best Diet for Platy Fish

Platies are considered omnivorous, but they have a substantial need for herbivorous food. A diet rich in vitamins improves the colors of a Platy fish. One common mistake aquarists make is not adding enough algae or other vegetation for the platies. An ideal diet should be a healthy mix of both proteins and vegetables. Flakes and other prepared fish food are great for them as long as they are high in protein. Spinach, cucumber, and lettuce are some vegetables that you can give to a Platy fish.

As far as live food is considered, they enjoy bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, or fruit flies. If you can’t afford live food or it is not readily available, equivalent frozen foods should be just as good for your platies.

How Often Should You Feed Platy Fish?

Serve portions of food that a Platy fish can finish within three minutes. Feed your young platies several times daily. Adult ones should have two meals every day.

Platy Fish Behavior and Temperament

Platy is not an aggressive fish. They are social, peaceful fishes that are suitable for community tanks. Swimming in groups of six, they will make any aquarium look stunning and colorful.

These are active fishes who like to play and swim mostly in the upper levels of the tank. They will hide in shelters and explore every tiny detail inside the tank. They will adapt to various water conditions and become friends with other species inside the tank. 

Platies can only show aggression during times of breeding. The males keep pestering the females and become a little irritated. Putting more females in the tank will ensure that the males do not disturb them. They stay active during the day and rest at night.

Are Platies Lonely or Societal in Nature?

Platies are very peaceful and social fishes. They rarely get aggressive, which makes them suitable pets for community tanks. They get along really well with other Xiphophorus fishes like Guppy and Molly.

Platy Tank mates

In general, platies are peaceful and active. They are by no means aggressive, so they should be great tank mates with other species. Fights between platy males happen from time to time, but the risk of injury isn’t very high in most cases. Platies are most commonly kept in community aquariums with other small size fish and close relatives. They get along very well with guppies, mollies, and some types of tetras. Some corydoras and characins in general are also great tank mates for platies.

Ideal Platy Fish Tank Mates

The best tank mates for a Platy fish are

• Corydoras
• Characins
• Molly 
• Guppy
• Small tetras
• Rasboras
• Snails
• Rainbowfish

Bad Tank Mates for Platy Fish

Avoid keeping long-finned Platies with fin-nippers like tiger barbs and tetras. Aggressive fishes like bettas should not share a tank with Platy fishes.

Breeding Platy Fish

Platies are live-bearing fish, like most of their close tropical freshwater relatives.A convenient factor for beginners is the platies ability to breed without a lot attention from the aquarist.  They will breed very often and with a lot of fry. As experienced aquarists like to say, “Getting platies to breed isn’t difficult. Stopping them from breeding definitely is.” Given their ability to breed very fast and very efficiently, you can find yourself with more platies than you need in no time.If you care for them properly, the only thing you should worry about is overpopulation.

The pregnant female platy can produce broods monthly. It is easily identified with a huge belly and a dark gravid spot near the anal fin. These fishes can easily breed in a well-planted community tank with thick vegetation and a breeding trap for the fry.

A 10 to 20- gallon tank with stable water conditions, dense planting, and a regular filter are suitable for the fish to produce fry. Gestation usually takes somewhere between 4 to 6 weeks. 

Once the fry are born they will freely swim around in search for food; however, the potential aggressor of the fry (even parents are known to eat them) should be removed from the tank. Planted tanks can only protect the fry for so long before they are eaten. While plants may help in the short term, removing one of the two is definitely a superior solution.

Breeding Level

Easy

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism is less in Platy fishes. The male’s caudal fin is a little more pointed, and the anal fin has a tick-shaped organ used for reproduction. Females grow about an inch taller than males.

Common Diseases and Their Treatment

Platy is a hardy fish that is not susceptible to many diseases. However, there are a few common freshwater diseases that can affect them.

Fin Rot

Stress and poor-quality water conditions can result in his disease. Fin rot can affect long-finned platy fishes like hifin platy and pintail platy. The fins become tattered and ragged and start changing color. 

Fin Rot starts at the base of the fin and keeps destroying the tissues further. Soon it can spread all over the fish’s body and rot it.

Frequent water changes and regular antibiotics can prevent the disease. Remove food debris from the bottom of the tank and avoid overfeeding the fish.

Ich

The major symptom of ich is when the fish develops white spots all over the body, fins, and gills. Platies infected with ich can become lethargic and aggressive. 

Immediately separate the infected fish in a different tank with increased temperature (at least 2 to 3 degrees). Adding a tablespoon of salt for every 5 gallons of water is adequate to get rid of the parasites.

Velvet

This disease causes yellow to rust-colored cysts in the fish’s skin and gills. Other symptoms include mucous secretion, clamped fins, labored breathing, lethargy, and flashing.

Quarantine the fish and keep the lighting dim. Raise the temperature and add aquarium salt and copper sulfate for ten days. Make sure to discontinue any carbon filtration during the treatment period.

Swim Bladder Disease

The swim bladder is responsible for controlling the buoyancy of a fish. Any dysfunctionality in this gas-filled organ can make swimming difficult for platies. High ammonia content in the water and stress can be two significant factors behind this disease.

Symptoms include difficulty in swimming, improper balancing, floating at angles or upside down, and a swollen belly.

Figuring out the reason behind the stress of your fish is the initial step for the treatment of the disease. Keep changing the quality of the water frequently to keep it clean and healthy.

Camallanus (Internal Parasite)

Camallanus is a parasite that can affect the health of your Platies severely. As a symptom, one may find a brown-colored worm sticking out of the anus of the fish.

It is important to vacuum the substrate and clean the filter to treat the disease. Maintain a strict 5-day treatment with Levamisole. Repeat the entire process after three weeks.

Dropsy

This bacterial infection affects the kidney and liver of your platyfish and makes them retain water. Symptoms include a swollen belly, porked-out scales, and unusual swimming patterns. 

This disease is incurable once it attacks the kidney or liver of the fish. Adding two tablespoons of Epsom salt for every gallon of water will help your fish relax a bit.

Facts About Platy Fish

• Numerous colors and variations are available among the Platy fishes like Coral Red, Red and Black Tuxedo, Red Wagtail, Salt, Pepper, etc. 
• Platies are well-tempered fishes that can stay with many other tank mates in a community tank.
• These omnivorous fishes are not at all picky about their food. They eat all types of the packet and domestic fish meals.
• Females are about an inch longer and plumper than males.
• Platy fish is a live-bearing fish. They fertilize the eggs inside their body and release them after hatching.
• It is not difficult to make them breed. It is difficult to make them stop.
• The males can badger the females for reproductive purposes. It is important to maintain male to female ratio. One male platy is enough with two to three female platys. 
• Platies can end up eating their babies, thinking them to be food. 
• They have a short lifespan of two to three years.
• As active fish, they like to swim and play a lot. Planted aquariums are the best option for them as they provide a lot of hiding shelters. 
• Due to their peaceful nature, they are compatible with endless fishes like guppies, mollies, swordtails, etc.
• Once the juvenile platies survive the first four months, they are pretty easy to raise.
• These fishes should at least be kept in an aquarium of about 10 gallons to swim freely inside the tank.

FAQs

Do Platies Eat Their Babies?

Yes, platy fishes eat their babies. Adult platies have very poor parental instincts. They can often end up eating their babies as food.

How Many Platies Can I Put in A 10-Gallon Tank?

A 10-gallon tank can be home for up to 5 platy fishes.

Can Platies and Mollies Live Together?

Yes, platies and mollies can live together. Platies are quite peaceful and are compatible with a lot of other fishes. It can live with other Xiphophorus fishes harmoniously.

How Long Do Platy Fish Live For?

Platies live for about 2 to 3 years. They do not have a very long lifespan. Better water conditions and regular cleaning of the tank can help your platies live a little longer than average. 

Conclusion

Platies are easy to keep as pet fish for beginners. They are peaceful and are very easy to look after. Hardy fishes like platies can survive in minimum tank requirements and various water conditions. Feeding them is very convenient as they are not picky eaters. 

Once you manage to separate the fry from the adults for about four months, you will have a lot of juvenile platies to keep in your tank as well. 

Their playful nature is fascinating to watch as they actively swim through the tank throughout the day. It never gets boring! 

If you are beginning your journey with pet fishes, platies are one of the easiest fishes to start with. Get your hand on a variety of colors and enjoy watching them dart around your fish tank.