Painted Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)

The Painted Platy is a beautiful, orange, yellow and black color variety of the popular Xiphophorus maculatus Platy. Iridescent black sides and a brilliant golden profile appear as though an artist personally painted each fish. Through selective breeding, platies are now available in a wide range of new color and fin variations. The Painted Platy is a great example of an atypical color variation.

The Painted Platy adds brilliant color to the aquarium and are very easy to keep. These features make it a great fish for beginners and accomplished aquarists alike. The Painted Platy requires an aquarium of at least 10 gallons that is densely planted with hardy plants like Java Fern and Java Moss. The Painted Platy is a very peaceful fish and makes an excellent addition to the freshwater community aquarium. Any other peaceful fish can be housed with them.

The Painted Platy is a livebearer capable of reproducing at three to four months of age. The male is smaller and more brightly colored than the female, and can be distinguished by his gonopodium. The fry will most often reach maturity in a community aquarium.

The platy is an omnivore that will eat commercially prepared flaked foods and algae, as well as freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, and brine shrimp.

Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1-1/2"

Care details

• Temperature: 64 - 77° F
• dKH: 10 - 25
• Color: Orange, Red, Yellow and Black
• Family: Poeciliidae
• Diet: Omnivore