{"product_id":"blue-calico-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus","title":"Blue Calico Platy | Xiphophorus maculatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eCheerful, bombproof and available in every colour imaginable, the Platy is the ultimate beginner livebearer, and this Blue Calico form is dappled in soft blue, black and red like a watercolour wash. Peaceful, active and quick to breed, platies bring instant colour and movement to any hard-water community. They stay small at around 4–6 cm and shrug off the odd beginner mistake.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eXiphophorus maculatus originates in the warm, hard, slow-moving waters of Mexico and Central America, in streams, ditches and vegetated margins. The wild fish live over mineral-rich substrates among plenty of plants. A planted tank with hard, alkaline water and gentle flow suits the aquarium platy perfectly.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe calico pattern scatters patches of blue, black and red across a pale body, so no two fish are quite alike. Platies have a stocky, rounded body and a rounded tail. Females grow noticeably larger and fuller-bodied than the slimmer, smaller males.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful, hardy and sociable, platies are model community fish that mix happily with other calm species. Keep several together, ideally with more females than males, as males court females persistently. They are active mid- and upper-water swimmers that add constant motion to a tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn easy-going omnivore, the platy takes quality flake and pellet readily and benefits from vegetable matter such as spirulina and blanched greens, plus occasional live or frozen treats. A varied, veg-rich diet keeps colour bright and digestion healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 45 L, with 60 L or larger better for a group. Keep temperature at 22–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.2 and hard, alkaline water, around GH 10–28. Platies are undemanding but appreciate clean, stable water and regular partial changes. Completely plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlaties are prolific livebearers that give birth to free-swimming fry roughly every four to six weeks, needing no encouragement at all. Provide floating plants or dense cover so some fry survive, as adults will eat their young. Fry take crushed flake and baby brine shrimp and grow quickly.\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\u003eBlue Calico Platy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMexico and Central America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 4–6 cm (females larger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4 years\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\u003e45 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, pellet, vegetable matter, occasional live\/frozen\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–28 °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 guppies, mollies, swordtails, peaceful tetras, corydoras, bristlenose catfish and other calm community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with fin-nippers, large or aggressive cichlids, and soft-water species that need acidic conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232792363299,"sku":"BA8200","price":8.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232792396067,"sku":null,"price":13.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Blue_Calico_Platy_df9c6087-6a21-494f-9761-c47d353c9a9e.jpg?v=1781697979","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/blue-calico-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}