🐠 Platy Xiphophorus maculatus

The Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) is a easy-care, peaceful species from Mexico and Central America. Adults reach roughly 2.5", so plan on a minimum tank of 10 gallons. Keep the water between 70–80°F with a pH of 7–8.2. This is a schooling fish — keep a group of at least 3 so it feels secure and colors up. As an omnivore, it does best on a varied diet appropriate to its feeding style.

At a glance

Good tankmates for Platy

Neon TetraRummynose TetraBlack Skirt TetraSerpae TetraGuppyEndler's LivebearerMollySwordtailGerman Blue RamBolivian RamApistogrammaKribensisZebra DanioHarlequin RasboraCherry BarbTiger BarbRosy BarbWhite Cloud MinnowDwarf GouramiPearl GouramiThree-Spot GouramiBronze CoryPanda CoryOtocinclusBristlenose PlecoKuhli LoachAmano ShrimpMystery SnailMarble HatchetfishBlack Neon TetraLemon TetraGlowlight TetraCongo TetraBloodfin TetraDiamond TetraBuenos Aires TetraEmperor TetraSilver Tip TetraX-Ray TetraLambchop RasboraScissortail RasboraPearl DanioGiant DanioGlowlight DanioGold BarbOdessa BarbDenison BarbCheckerboard BarbFive-Banded BarbBoesemani RainbowfishNeon Dwarf RainbowfishMadagascar RainbowfishThreadfin RainbowfishCelebes RainbowfishHoney GouramiSparkling GouramiMoonlight GouramiKeyhole CichlidFiremouth CichlidElectric Blue AcaraRainbow CichlidYellow Lab CichlidAcei CichlidPeacock CichlidMultifasciatusJulidochromisPygmy CorySterbai CoryJulii CoryGlass CatfishUpside-Down CatfishYoyo LoachZebra LoachHillstream LoachRubber Lip PlecoClown PlecoSiamese Algae EaterRainbow SharkFlying FoxLeast KillifishRosy Red MinnowGhost ShrimpBamboo ShrimpRabbit SnailGold TetraPenguin TetraRed Eye TetraFlame TetraBleeding Heart TetraColombian TetraSilver DollarEmerald Eye RasboraLeopard DanioGold Ring DanioRuby BarbMelon BarbTurquoise RainbowfishForktail Blue-eyeRed RainbowfishCroaking GouramiThick-Lipped GouramiPeaceful BettaGolden RamFlag AcaraFestivum CichlidYellow Dwarf CichlidElectric Yellow CichlidBrichardiShell-DwellerEmerald CoryAlbino CoryThree-Striped CoryAdolfo's CoryHabrosus CoryZebra OtoDwarf Chain LoachLeopard Frog Pleco (L134)Zebra Pleco (L046)Vampire ShrimpRed Claw CrabLyretail KillifishClown KillifishRed SwordtailHigh-Fin PlatyBalloon MollySailfin MollyAmerican FlagfishIndian Glassfish

Avoid these tankmates

AngelfishDiscusConvict CichlidOscarPictus CatfishJack DempseyGreen TerrorTexas CichlidAuratus CichlidFrontosaChinese Algae EaterRed Tail SharkBlack Ghost KnifefishRopefishSenegal BichirBucktooth TetraBanjar Red CichlidSalvini CichlidMidas CichlidFlowerhornRed Zebra CichlidVenustus CichlidLivingstonii CichlidCompressed CichlidCalvus CichlidTropheus Duboisi

See the full tankmate guide for Platy →