Platy red

Common name: Platy
Origin: Central America (native to Mexico, Honduras, and parts of Central America)

Optimal living conditions:

• Temperature: 22 - 28°C (72 - 82°F)
• pH: 7.0 - 8.2
• Aquarium size: Minimum 50 liters (13 gallons)

Adult fish size: 4 - 6 cm

Diet: Platies are omnivores and thrive on a varied diet. They should be fed high-quality flake food, live foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms, and occasional vegetable matter like algae and spirulina. It's essential to provide a balanced diet for optimal health and vibrant coloration.

Tankmates: Platies are peaceful and social fish, making them great community tank residents. They do well with other peaceful species like guppies, tetras, and small cichlids. It's best to keep them with species that have a similar temperament, and they should not be housed with aggressive fish or fin-nippers.

Note: Platies are easy to care for, making them a great choice for beginners. They are livebearers, meaning they give birth to live fry instead of laying eggs. It's important to provide hiding spots for the fry if you don’t want them to be eaten by adults. Platies come in a variety of colors, including red, yellow, blue, and orange, and they are known for their active and playful behavior.

While they are hardy and adaptable, platies should still be provided with clean, stable water conditions. Regular water changes and appropriate filtration are key to maintaining their health. Platies can also tolerate slightly brackish water, but they are most commonly kept in freshwater aquariums.

Note: Though peaceful, it's best to keep them in groups or pairs, as they thrive in social environments. If you're looking to breed them, ensure you have both males and females, as they reproduce easily in appropriate conditions.