Red platy - Xiphophorus maculatus

One of the most sought-after aquarium fish is the Red Platy, Xiphophours maculatus, which is also ideal for beginners due to its great color, easy care and trouble-free reproduction. The Red Platy, also a breeding form of the Central American Platy, shines in a bright red-orange and forms a great color contrast in the aquarium. This live-bearing tooth carp, which belongs to the mirror carps, likes to live in groups, which is why we recommend keeping at least 10 animals. In their natural habitat Platys inhabit swampy and stagnant waters with connection to flowing waters. In aquaristics they represent a traditional fish. Genetically, they are so closely related to swordtails that the two species can easily interbreed. They are also closely related to the two aquarium fish species guppy and molly. In general, they are very hardy animals, which is why they are so popular.

The males differ from the females on the one hand by their somewhat smaller size with a final size of about 3.5-4 cm and an anal fin converted to a mating organ - the gonopodium. The females reach a size of up to 6 cm, they also become rounder.

Red platy aquarium fish are very easy to breed in the aquarium: after mating, the red platy female gives birth to live young. Since she can store the sperm of the male, this allows her to become pregnant a few more times. This is the reason why in a pure female group young fish appear every now and then. A litter of young platies can include 10-80 babies, which grow up very quickly and become sexually mature themselves. Since adult Red Platies will prey on them, the aquarium should be very well and densely planted so that the young have the opportunity to hide. Alternatively, they can also be raised in a spawning box.

The aquarium condition does not play a major role for Red Platy aquarium fish, they tolerate both medium hard to hard water with 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 at a temperature of 18 to 28 °C. Platies prefer a well-planted aquarium with an edge length of at least 60 cm.

Red Platy aquarium fishes are great to socialize, especially with their peers, but if you consider that different colors mix with each other, creating a colorful mix. In a community aquarium with other fish such as tetras, danios and loricariids, but also others, they feel comfortable and can also be socialized with larger shrimp, such as the Amana shrimp or the fan shrimp . Likewise with well reproducing dwarf shrimp species, if they have enough hiding places and retreats. However, large crayfish can catch the Red Platy and possibly injure or eat it.

The omnivorous Red Platy can be fed with granulated food, dry food or food flakes for omnivorous ornamental fish in the aquarium. Apart from that, they will not miss a treat in the form of live or frozen food such as tubifex, white, black or red mosquito larvae, as well as daphnia, grindalworms or artemia. They can also be fed with soft vegetables such as soaked zucchini chips or pumpkin chips, but also with algae leaves . 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 before it sinks.

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.