Common Platy
xiphophorus maculatus

Cost: $3-8, Only the large adult line-bred fish at the upper end of the price range
Short Bio:
The common platy is a deep bodied species that has many color variations and is the perfect community fish that is peaceful and very adaptable.

Origin:
Mexico and Belize, and Guatemala.

Size:
The males get around 1.8 inches and the females will be larger at 2.2 inches (5.5 cm).

Sexual distinctions:
The males will have a rod-like structure by the anal fins, while the females anal fin is fan-like.

Tank conditions:

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Temperature 72-79 degrees Fahrenheit ( 22-26 Celsius). The water should be medium to medium hard and be neutral to slight acid and have a Ph of 7-7.4. The tank should be well-planted, but you can add any kind of decorations just don’t add anything that could make the water more acidic such as bogwood.

Food:
Mainly eats flake and small live foods.

Behavior:
There really isn’t anything bad to say about the common platy, it’s very peaceful and is a great community tank fish, and it can tolerate a wide range of tank conditions and will eat just about anything.

Breeding:
Breeds easily in a tank that has plenty of hiding places for the fry because other tank mates and even the parents will see the young, small, fry as food.