Source: Wikimedia Commons
Variable Platy
BeginnerXiphophorus variatus
A livebearer named for the wide variation in its colour and pattern. Among the platies it has a slimmer body and a longer dorsal fin. Hardy, peaceful and easy to breed, it is a widely traded beginner fish.
Difficulty
Beginner
Temperature
20〜26℃
Lifespan
3-5 years
Size
5-7cm
Diet
Prepared foods, frozen foods, vegetable flake
About
Xiphophorus variatus is a livebearer native to the Atlantic slope of eastern Mexico. FishBase gives a maximum total length of 7.0cm and Seriously Fish a standard length of 50mm. It lives in shallow, heavily vegetated streams, ponds, swamps and canals, and is closely associated with waters rich in algae and phytoplankton. It is a platy, but is told from the related X. maculatus by its slimmer body and longer dorsal fin, a feature exaggerated in many high-fin strains. Seriously Fish gives 20-26C, pH 7.0-8.2 and 14-30dGH, and states that it will not thrive in soft, acidic water. It is peaceful and hardy and suits a general community, though males court persistently, so keep several females per male to spread the attention. Breeding is easy; FishBase gives a gestation of 24 days and Seriously Fish four to seven weeks, and broods of over 100 are not unusual. Most fish in the trade today are mass-produced ornamental strains from the Far East and Eastern Europe. IUCN status is Least Concern.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Lifespan of the Variable Platy
The Variable Platy lives 3-5 years.
Size of the Variable Platy
The Variable Platy grows to 5-7cm.
Temperature & humidity for the Variable Platy
The ideal temperature for the Variable Platy is 20〜26℃.
Basic Info
Origin
Central America (Atlantic slope of eastern Mexico)
Lifespan
Care Specifications
- pH
- 7–8.2
- Hardness (GH)
- 14–30 dGH
- Water Temp.
- 20–26℃
- Min. Tank
- 54 L
PeacefulGroupBreeding: Easy
Sources: FishBase / Seriously Fish
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: Xiphophorus variatus (Meek, 1904)
Authority databases: FishBase
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Regulations & Conservation Status
Not CITES-listedIUCN LC · Least Concern
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / IUCN Red List
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Variable Platy Listings
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