FISH OF THE WEEK - Common Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)

Today we have the common platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)

Also known as the southern platyfish or moonfish, the platy is a popular livebearer in the aquarium hobby. They're native to southern Mexico down to Belize and inhabit warm springs, creeks, swamps, canals and ditches with typically slow-moving water and silty bottoms. They feed on worms, crustaceans, insects and graze on plant matter and algae in their natural habitat. Like many other livebearers they can be easily sexed by looking at their anal fin, males have a gonopodium and females have a fan shaped fin. The largest platies can grow to 2-3 inches (6-8cm) in length. Platies have been introduced to non-native areas due to accidental escape from commercial farms or by intentional release. In some places they are an invasive species.

In the aquarium they are quite peaceful and not aggressive to their own species even between males. They will eat almost any prepared fish food and reproduce easily. Platies are ideal beginner fish for planted community tanks as long as the water hardness can be maintained. After so many years of being a popular aquarium fish, multiple color varieties have been developed such as mickey mouse, wagtail, tuxedo, moon, blue, red, comet and hi-fin. Some of these are produced by crossbreeding with X. helleri or X. variatus. Unfortunately, many commercially bred platies are not very hardy due to inbreeding and over-production and are prone to disease and premature death.

Sources and further reading:

• https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Xiphophorus-maculatus

• https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/xiphophorus-maculatus/