Brush platy "Wagtail" - Xiphophorus maculatus

The brush platy is a pretty breeding variety of the Central American platy. Platies are popular ornamental fish in aquaristics, which score points with aquarists mainly due to their easy keeping and robustness. This mirror platy, which also belongs to the Xiphophorus maculatus, has a red base color with a variably extended caudal fin, which reminds of a brush, and therefore gave it its name.

You will receive our brush platys mixed sexed.

The Wagtail Brush Platy, like its other color forms and breeding varieties, is a live-bearing toothcarp whose natural biotopes are found between Guyana and northern Mexico. There, the platy inhabits shallow and stagnant waters that drain into larger rivers. Especially in the weedy shore areas it can often be found. Its relationship to the variable mirror carp, the Xiphophorus variatus, is so close that these two can hybridize, keeping them together is therefore rather not recommended. Although it also belongs to the family of mollies and guppies, no hybridization is to be feared here.

As a rule, the males lag behind the females, which can reach up to 6 cm, in terms of body size at 4 cm . The females also become more massive and plump. In a well planted aquarium they can retreat from time to time, especially the juveniles benefit from planting. In about 3 weeks after mating the female releases up to 100 young. During this process, the eggs develop in the mother's abdomen and crack open during the release. Furthermore, she can store the sperm of the male and fertilize herself several times, which is why even in a pure female group young animals can appear from time to time. Since not only the parents, but also the other fishes chase the young, a good weeding is worthwhile, which the animals also know from their habitat.

Brush platys are also very sociable animals that quickly feel lonely, so group keeping with at least 10 animals is highly recommended. They can be kept very well in aquariums from 60 liters, preferably from 80 liters with medium to hard water. The aquarium should have a temperature between 18-28 °C and a good planting, which still allows enough space for swimming and scurrying.

With other fishes these Xiphophorus maculatus can be socialized very well, if they are peaceful and know similar water parameters. They can also be kept together with other colors of the Platys, but it is possible that they will interbreed and create new colors. In order to fill the community aquarium nicely, you could also add for example Cory catfish tetras, danios and Loricariid catfish with them, but also larger shrimps, such as the popular Amano shrimp or Fan shrimp. Well reproducing Dwarf shrimp species the Platy usually does not do anything, if they have enough hiding places and retreat possibilities.

The Brush Platy is an omnivore that nibbles on algae and thus contributes to the aquarium care, but can also be fed with commercial granulated food, dry food or food flakes for omnivorous ornamental fish. Live or frozen food such as Tubifexwhite, black or red Mosquito larvae, as well as Daphnia, Grindalworms or Artemia round off their menu. In addition, they also like to eat soft vegetables such as soaked Zucchini chips or Pumpkin chips, or also Algae leaves.

Our food recommendation: The fragrant NatureHolic Guppyfeed  has been tailored to the needs of guppies and other viviparous fish in the aquarium. In addition to high-quality animal ingredients, it also contains vegetable components that benefit guppies & co. The soft granules protect the sensitive mouth of the viviparous from injuries caused by hard food grains and provide the fish with a natural feeding experience.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.