Platy

Xiphophorus maculatus

Also known as: Southern platyfish, Common platy

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 20–26°C
• pH: 7–8.2
• Hardness (GH): 178–535 ppm (10–30 dGH)

Values above are general hardness (GH). For carbonate hardness (KH), the buffer that keeps pH stable, see the water parameters guide.

Care Summary

A hardy, colourful livebearer often recommended as a first fish. Less prone to inbreeding weaknesses than fancy guppies, with a longer lifespan. Females produce roughly 20–40 fry per month, so a single-sex group is recommended unless you want a breeding population. Active mid-water swimmers that show their best colour with strong lighting and varied diet. Generally undemanding but appreciates well-planted tanks and gentle current. Like other livebearers they prefer harder, well-buffered water, so keep a moderate to high carbonate hardness (KH) to hold the pH steady and avoid soft, low-KH conditions.

Tankmates

Peaceful livebearer that mixes well with most community species. Like guppies, best kept with more females than males to spread out male attention. Will interbreed readily with swordtails, since they are closely related. Tolerates harder, alkaline water better than soft-water species like neon tetras.

Compatible with

• Guppy
• Swordtail
• Molly
• Bronze Corydoras
• Harlequin Rasbora
• Mystery Snail
• Cherry Shrimp
• Otocinclus
• Pristella Tetra

Avoid keeping with

• Betta
• Angelfish
• Fin Nippers
• Large Cichlids

Common Problems

• ich
• fin rot
• overpopulation from breeding
• constipation from over-reliance on flake food

Sources: seriouslyfish.com, fishbase.org · Last updated: 2026-06-18