Hawaii Platy - Xiphophorus maculatus

Hawaii Platys are a great color form of the Central American Platy, also known as Xiphophours maculatus. Just because of its great color, the easy care and the problem-free propagation it is suitable outstanding also for beginners. With its great color it reminds of Haiwaii and gives almost vacation mood in the aquarium. On a yellow base color it is colored black from the gills to the orange tail fin.

This live-bearing tooth carp is also a gregarious mirror carp that lives in groups. Therefore, we recommend keeping it with at least 10 mates in a group. Its natural habitats are stagnant and also swampy waters with river tributaries. In the aquaristics they are one of the most popular aquarium fishes at all, which appears again and again in new great color forms, the Hawaii Platy is one of them. With the swordtails the Hawaii Platys are by the way so closely related, so that these two kinds can cross themselves in the aquarium. There is also a relationship with mollies and guppies. In general, platies are very hardy and robust fish, which are quite relaxed about one or two mistakes.

Platies can be distinguished from each other mainly by their size. Where the females can reach up to 6 cm, the males remain rather somewhat smaller with an average of up to 4 cm. In addition, they have a sex appendage, as this clearly differentiates them from the females. The female stores the male sperm for some time after mating, with which she can fertilize herself. Hawaii platies belong to the live-bearing toothcarps. In her abdomen fish larvae develop from eggs, which she releases alive shortly after. Therefore, even in an all-female group, young fish appear from time to time. A litter of young platies can contain 10-80 babies, which grow up very quickly and become sexually mature themselves. Since the parents chase their offspring from time to time, a dense planting is recommended, in which the babies can hide. Alternatively a spawning box can be used.

The aquarium of Hawaii Platy Aquarium Fish should be at least 54 liters and have soft to medium hard water. Ideal are a total hardness (GH) of 5 to 25 ° dGH and a KH between 5 to 20 °dKH, as well as a pH of 7-8.5 and a temperature of 18 to 28 °C. Dense planting in places with sufficient swimming space contributes to the well-being of the animals.

Hawaii Platys can be socialized very well. They can live together with other colors of their species, they can also interbreed, which creates new colors and a great mix. With other fishes like characins, danios and Loricariids in a community aquarium, but also others, they feel comfortable and can also live with larger shrimps, such as the popular Amano shrimp or the Fan shrimp can be socialized. Also suitable are well reproducing Dwarf shrimp speciesif they have enough hiding places and retreat possibilities. Large crayfish could catch the Hawaii Platy and possibly injure or eat it.

As omnivores the Hawaii Platy can be fed with granulated food, dry food or food flakes for omnivorous ornamental fish. Apart from that, treats in the form of live or frozen food such as Tubifexwhite, black or red Mosquito larvae, as well as Daphnia, Grindalworms or Artemia from time to time. In addition, they can also be used with soft vegetables such as soaked Zucchini chips or Pumpkin chips, or also with Algae leaves can be fed. Since they mainly take their food at the water surface, care should be taken to keep their food floating at the surface for a while.

Our food recommendation: The fragrant NatureHolic Guppyfeed  has been tailor-made for 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.