Scientific Name: Xiphophorus maculatus
Common Name: Red Wagtail Platy
Adult Size: 2 inches
Life Expectancy: 2 - 3 years
Habitat: Central America
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Ideal Tank Conditions:
- Temperature Range: 65 - 78°F
-
pH Range: 7.0 - 8.0
- Water Hardness: 10 - 25
Temperament: This is a good tropical fish for the beginner. They are a very peaceful tropical fish. Also, it can be a good idea to have two females for every one male. Doing this will prevent the male from harassing a single female.
Diet & Nutrition: Give them a varied diet consisting of flakes, live and freeze dried foods for optimum health.
Breeding & Spawning: Usually, not much effort is required to get them to breed. They are livebearers which means babies can swim immediately after birth. The parents must be separated from the young after birth.
Gender: The female is usually bigger than a male of the same age. The male Platy also has a modified anal fin called a gonopodium.