The platy in it's original form is often yellowish brown, light olive or silver. Domesticated colours are varied but orange is the most common variety available.
A notable colour form is the mickey mouse platy which has distinctive marks on the tail which resemble a popular Disney icon.
The calico platy is particularly spectacular. It displays metallic blue scales on a black background.
These fish and swordtails (Xiphophorus helleri) will breed together to produce fertile hybrid fish fry. In this way many colour traits between the two species have been shared in domestic production.
Platys are not unlike other livebearing fish in their breeding requirements. Feed liberally
with
tropical flake or
pellets and provide
plant cover to give fry the best chance of survival.
Platy Profile
Family - Poeciliidae
Size - 3-6 cm
Fish Origin - South America
Water - pH of 7-8 with medium to very hard water
Temperature - 20-26°C
Feeding - General tropical flake
Sexing - Male displays gonopodium & females larger
Breeding - Xiphophorus variatus are livebearers
Aquarium - Appreciates a fish tank with other Poeciliidae varieties to school with.
This footage includes a number of different varieties including a high fin variation.
The movie above shows a group of orange and black wagtail platys in an acrylic aquarium. The school is following the owner's hand in expectation of being fed. A platy will swim in the open water making it an active aquarium fish.
