Platy Care Guide
Xiphophorus maculatus · Easy care · 10 gallon minimum
Cheerful, hardy livebearers in dozens of color morphs — one of the best fish for a first community tank.
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How big does a platy get?
A platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) reaches about 2.5 inches as an adult. Plan tank size and tank mates around the adult size, not the small fish you buy at the store.
Tank size & setup
Give a platy a minimum of 10 gallons, with water at 70–80°F and a pH of 7–8.2. Keep them in groups of at least 3 — they are shoaling fish and become stressed and washed-out alone. As a easy-care, omnivore species, a stable, cycled tank with the right diet keeps them healthiest.
Good tank mates
Pair a platy with peaceful species that share its temperature and pH range. Compatible options include:
- Neon Tetra — 1.5", 10g min
- Guppy — 2.0", 10g min
- Molly — 4.0", 20g min
- Zebra Danio — 2.0", 10g min
- Corydoras Catfish — 2.5", 20g min
About the platy
The southern platyfish, common platy, or moonfish is a species of freshwater fish in family Poeciliidae of order Cyprinodontiformes. A live-bearer, it is closely related to the green swordtail and can interbreed with it. It is native to an area of North and Central America stretching from Veracruz, Mexico, to northern Belize.
Recommended gear for platys
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