The southern platyfish, common platy, or moonfish (Xiphophorus maculatus) is a species of freshwater fish in family Poeciliidae of order Cyprinodontiformes. A live-bearer, it is closely related to the green swordtail (X. helleri) and can interbreed with it. It is native to an area of North and Central America stretching from Veracruz, Mexico, to northern Belize.
Details
| Type | Livebearers |
| Family | Poeciliidae |
| Species | Xiphophorus maculatus |
| Synonyms | Poecilia maculata, Platypoecilus maculatus |
| Origins | Central America living in warm springs, canals and ditches with slow moving water and abundant plant growth. |
| Sexual Dimorphism | Males possess an obvious gonopodium |
| Length | 6 cm |
| Shoaling | No |
| Temperature | 20 - 26 deg C |
| Water parameters | pH 7.0 - 8.0, dH 8 - 20 |
Care
Easy to keep, an ideal choice for the beginner. Ideally, keep at least two females to every male, to ensure that no single female has to continuously cope with the males’ constant amorous intentions. Plant cover will be very much appreciated. Platies are available in a huge array of tank-bred colours and strains including Wagtail, Comet, Mickey-mouse, Tuxedo, Calico, Hi-fin and Spadetail (longtail).Feeding
Omnivorous. Feed a good quality flake food, small frozen foods such as mosquito larvae and daphnia, and keep with fast-growing fine-leaved plants which the fish will nibble on.Breeding
Very easy. Platies are livebearers, which means that the females give birth to live young. After fertilisation occurs, the female gestates for 25-30 days, after which time she will give birth to between 20 and 80 free-swimming fry. The adults (and other fish species in the aquarium) will predate on the fry if not separated. However, a few will normally manage to survive onto adulthood when kept in a well planted aquarium with lots of natural hiding places.
