Platy "Rainbow" - Xiphophorus maculatus

Rainbow platies are a wonderful breeding variety of the Central American platy, also known as the mirror platy. This live-bearing aquarium fish, which belongs to the Xiphophorus maculatus, has long enjoyed great popularity in aquaristics thanks to its blaze of color. Rainbow Platys have a bright basic color, which is colored from the body center to the tail fin red-orange, in the front body it shows shining scales, which iridesce depending upon incidence of light in rainbow colors, which were finally name-giving. Its peacefulness and easy socialization make it a great fish for beginners in aquaristics.

Just like other color forms of the Platys, this Xiphophorus maculatus belongs to the popular family of viviparous toothcarps. The natural biotopes of this platy, which is also called mirror carp, show partly standing and weakly flowing waters and brooks with strongly weedy bank zones.
The rainbow platy is also related to the variable mirror carp (Xiphophorus variatus), therefore these two species should rather not be kept together in the same aquarium. It is possible that these two will interbreed and produce hybrids. Although the popular and well-known Mollys and Guppy  are also related to them, no interbreeding occurs here.

The males of the Rainbow Platys grow to about 4 cm, while the females  grow up to 6 cm. They are also rather bulky and round, whereas the males tend to stay a bit slimmer. They form an anal fin that has been converted to a sexual organ, and in the females these "pegs" look more like sails. This makes them quite easy to distinguish. For about 3-3.5 weeks the females carry the eggs in their abdomen, from which fully developed fry hatch while still in the abdomen and are released by her shortly thereafter. Not only their own parents, but also other fellow fish tend to eat the young. This can be prevented, for example, with very dense and weedy planting. The babies can be raised well with infusoria and dust food, later also with freshly hatched Artemia nauplii. Another alternative is the use of a so-called rearing box.

These very sociable animals derive their strength from the group size, so they should definitely be kept together with at least 10 animals. In an aquarium with an edge length of 60 cm they are in good hands. Platies originate from soft to medium hard water and can be kept well at 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. As in their habitat, the aquarium may gladly show a strong weediness in the form of different water plants, which nevertheless leave them enough space to swim.

The socialization of Rainbow Platies with other peaceful fish is uncomplicated. They can also be kept together with others of their species, which of course can interbreed, resulting in great new colors and a colorful mix. In a community aquarium are tetras, danios and Loricariid catfish are well suited, but also larger shrimps, such as the popular Amano shrimp or Fan shrimp. Also suitable are well reproducing Dwarf shrimp speciesif they have enough hiding places and retreat possibilities. However, crayfish are not suitable, because they like to chase the Platy once.

As omnivores, the Rainbow Platy can be optimally fed in the aquarium with commercially available granulated food, dry food or food flakes for omnivorous ornamental fish. From time to time, the ever-hungry fish can also have a treat in the form of live or frozen food such as Tubifexwhite, black or red Mosquito larvae, as well as Daphnia, Grindalworms or Artemia get. As algae and aufwuchsfresser they keep the aquarium not only clean, but also like to eat sometimes soft vegetables such as soaked Zucchini chips or Pumpkin chips, or also with Algae leaves.

Our food recommendation: The fragrant NatureHolic Guppyfeed  was 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: For planting, use 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.