Variatus platy
Xiphophorus variatus
FishFreshwater
- Care level
- Easy
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Recommended tank
- 80 L
- Maximum size
- 7 cm
- Temperature
- 18–24 °C
- pH
- 7–8.2
- Diet
- Omnivore
Care at a glance
The variatus platy is the slimmer, more elongated cousin of the common platy and comes from the cooler streams of north-eastern Mexico. Males colour up yellow, orange or blue with a dark speckled back; females stay plainer and grow larger.
It is a livebearer and breeds without any help, so keep more females than males to spread the attention. It happily takes room temperature and often needs no heater in an average living room; offer vegetable food, as algae and soft plant matter are part of its diet.
Related species
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Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.