Platy
Xiphophorus maculatus
Also known as Southern Platy, Moonfish
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A cheerful, colorful and very peaceful livebearer, and among the easiest fish a beginner can keep. Platies get along with most community fish and even the males tolerate each other. Just expect a steady supply of babies, and keep them in moderately hard water for the best health.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 14 US gal
- Footprint
- 24 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 68–79 °F
- pH
- 7–8.2
- Hardness
- 10–30 dGH
- Swim zone
- Top
- Min group
- 3 or more
- Lifespan
- 3–5 years
Platy tank mates and swim zone
Top
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Paracheirodon innesi
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Trigonostigma espei
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Their pH ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Boraras brigittae
Chili Rasbora is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Platy.
Danio margaritatus
Celestial Pearl Danio is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Platy.
Betta splendens
Betta often does best alone. Only try this in a larger, planted tank, and watch closely.
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Melanotaenia boesemani
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Platy feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed flakes with some vegetable content, such as spirulina.
- Add frozen or live foods for variety, which they take eagerly.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Males are smaller and have a pointed anal fin called a gonopodium. Females are larger with a fan-shaped anal fin.
Platy care mistakes to avoid
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 3 fish so they feel secure.
- Keep more females than males, because males are relentless in their attention.
- Expect fry. Batches will keep coming, so plan where they will go.
- Check your water. Very soft, acidic water leaves livebearers weak and sickly.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 14 US gallons.
Platy tank setup
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
TankAt least 14 US gal (54 L), 60 x 30 cm
The smallest tank our sources give for Platy. We list only tanks that hold this volume (allowing 10%, so a standard size counts) and have at least this much floor.
Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium 20 Long US
Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium 29 Gallon US
Eheim clearTank 73 Spain
Why we chose these (Best 20-Gallon Fish Tank: 20 Long or 29?). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Starter kitA kit with the tank, filter and light in one box
We list only kits whose tank fits Platy, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Platy's temperature range.
Tetra Complete LED Aquarium Kit 20 Gallon US
Check the heater's setting
Tetra Starter Line LED Aquarium 54 L Spain
Heater preset to 25 °C
Tetra Starter Line LED Aquarium 80 L Spain
Heater preset to 25 °C
Why we chose these (Best Aquarium Starter Kit: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
FilterHang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
Seachem Tidal 55 Power Filter US
Marineland Penguin PRO 175 Power Filter US
Eheim LiBERTY 130 Hang-on Filter Spain
Seachem Tidal 35 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
HeaterKeep it at 68–79 °F (20–26 °C)
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 100 W at 20 gallons, about 150 W at 29. Enough power to hold a stable temperature in most homes. Size up for a cold room.
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 100 W US
Aqueon Submersible Glass Heater 100 W US
Eheim Thermocontrol e 100 Heater Spain
Tetra HT 100 Electronic Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water conditionerDechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es · Maker's details
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test kitLiquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link) · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply · Maker's details
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
SubstrateDecor is not critical.
We are still choosing products for this.
Hiding places and decorIt appreciates a planted aquarium and looks its best in one.
We are still choosing products for this.
PlantsSafe with live plants
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
Where to buy Platy
We have not found a store that sells Platy under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Platy FAQ
What size tank do Platies need?
Our sourced minimum is 14 US gallons (54 liters), with a footprint of 60 x 30 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Platies should I keep?
Keep at least 3 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with Platies?
Good matches on our list include Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra and Black Neon Tetra. Avoid Pygmy Corydoras and Kuhli Loach.
How long do Platies live?
Care guides report about 3–5 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Do platies eat their babies?
Yes, adults will eat fry. Dense plants like hornwort or java moss give enough babies a place to hide and survive.
Platy facts and sources
- Family
- Poeciliidae
- Native to
- Southern Mexico to northern Honduras
- Adult size
- 2 in (5 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Harem/Pairs
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Water flow
- Gentle
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Adult Shrimp Only
- Fin nipping
- None
- Vulnerable to nippers
- No
- Breeding
- Easy Livebearer
Sources
- Seriously Fish: Tank size, water ranges and behavior
- FishBase: Cross-check of water ranges and size
Lifespans are approximate and come from aquarium care guides, because these databases rarely publish them.
Where sources differ, we show the Seriously Fish aquarium figures.
Spotted something wrong? Report a parameter correction. For a sick fish, see our veterinary disclaimer.