Platies - Xiphophorus variatus
| Scientific Name | English Common Name | French Common Name |
|---|---|---|
| Xiphophorus variatus | Blue Platy | Platy bleu |
| Xiphophorus variatus | Multicolor Platy | Platy multicolore |
Varieties include various "wag" colour combinations as well as multi-colour and calico patterns. The fins are not immune to changes either, the various hi-fin platy are also quite popular.
They are quite hardy and are often included as the first fish to be added to a newly set up aquarium system. When a livebearer is desired, the platy is perhaps the best one to add to a new aquarium.
In the long run they are often the hardiest to endure the establishment of biological filtration. Since there are quite a number of different colours available, they provide both a hardy fish as well as one that is interesting to watch during the first days of the aquarium when few fish should be in there.
They are quite easy to breed since they are livebearers, and will bear live young in the tank. This can be a problem for the newly dropped fry born in the community of assorted fish, since they are seen by other fish in the tank as a wonderful source of food.
The Platy should be purchased in trios, with one male for every two (or more) females. The male usually is trying to breed almost all the time.
By purchasing at least two females to every male, his attention is split between the two females. This will help keep the tank peaceful and non-stressful for the females.
Like all livebearers, it is quite easy to determine the sex of a platy. The male has a special bottom fin called a gonopodium that is used to pass sperm packets from the male to the female. The female has a triangular shaped fin instead.
A pregnant mother should be separated from the rest of the community when she is about to give birth to her young. Quite often a breeding trap is used to keep the other fish away from the mother and her young.
Breeding traps come in a variety of shapes, sizes and complexity. They can be as simple as an open box surrounded by fine netting. Others come with a variety of panels and bottoms to allow the newborn fish to fall through a slot and be trapped in the bottom of the box, safe not only from the rest of the fish in the aquarium, but also safe from the mother as well.
It sometimes occurs that the new mother will forget she has just given birth and will eat her young if they are too easy to grab.
Of course the best way to allow the fry a great start is to allow the mother to give birth in a separate aquarium entirely. This tank can be relatively small.
It should have plenty of plants and other decorations that provide immediate and easy to find hiding places. Floating live plants are also a great way to give shelter to the newborn.
