{"product_id":"assorted-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus","title":"Assorted Platy | Xiphophorus maculatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eCheerful, bombproof and available in every colour under the sun, Platies are the ultimate beginner livebearer. Peaceful, active and quick to breed, they bring instant colour and movement to any community tank. This assorted listing offers a mix of colours and patterns, and at around 4–6 cm they suit tanks of almost any size.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eXiphophorus maculatus is native to the warm, slow-moving fresh waters of Central America and southern Mexico, from ditches and canals to weedy streams, where the water tends to be hard and slightly alkaline. A warm, planted tank with some open swimming space and hard water suits it perfectly, and it is very adaptable.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA small, stocky, rounded-tailed livebearer selectively bred into a rainbow of colours and patterns — red, sunset, blue, wagtail, tuxedo, Mickey Mouse and more, all represented in this assorted group. Males are slimmer with a pointed gonopodium; females are fuller-bodied and grow a little larger. Colour develops well with a good, varied diet.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eVery peaceful, active and sociable, making an ideal community fish. Males can pester females, so keep two or more females per male to spread attention. Platies mix beautifully with other livebearers and small, peaceful community fish that enjoy the same hard, warm water. They are confident and rarely bother anyone.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn easygoing omnivore that takes quality flake and micro pellets readily, and appreciates vegetable matter, algae and occasional frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. A varied diet with some greens keeps them colourful and healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 40 L for a small group, with 60 L or larger better. Keep temperature at 21–27 °C, pH 7.0–8.2 and moderately hard to hard water, around GH 10–28. They are hardy and forgiving, making them ideal for beginners, but appreciate stable water and regular changes. Plant safe and happy in a planted community.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA prolific livebearer that breeds effortlessly. Females deliver broods of fully formed, free-swimming fry every four to six weeks. Provide dense planting or a breeding box, as adults will eat fry; the young grow quickly on crushed flake and baby brine shrimp, and mixed groups will soon produce a self-sustaining population.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlaty (assorted)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral America and Mexico\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 4–6 cm (females a little larger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–4 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (community)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore: flake, micro pellets, vegetables, frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e21–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.0–8.2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to hard, around 10–28 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard-water community and planted aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other livebearers such as mollies, swordtails and guppies, plus peaceful community fish like small tetras, rasboras, corydoras and peaceful gouramis.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with fin-nippers, large or aggressive fish, and soft-water species that need acidic conditions. Avoid soft, acidic water and unstable parameters.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232789184803,"sku":"AA1443","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232789217571,"sku":"AA1443-M","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/assorted-platy-xiphophorus-m-43878413009187.webp?v=1790305826","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/assorted-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}