Coral Blue Sailfin Variatus

The coral blue sailfin variatus is a breathtaking livebearer. Not large, but with a very long red dorsal fin on a blue body, these fish will be a showcase in the aquarium. Variatus platy, or simply variatus, are a livebearing species from southern Mexico. A different species from the common platy, variatus get slightly larger and have higher dorsal fins. The species are close enough that they will crossbreed. The aquarium trade inevitably developed lovely variations of the variatus. Our blue hi-fin variatus is one of the loveliest.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Platies are hardy and easy to keep. Give a small group at least a 10-gallon tank with a filter, a lid and plenty of plants. They can live without a heater in rooms that stay above about 65°F. They prefer harder, slightly alkaline water. Change about 25% of the water every week.

Feeding: Feed a quality flake or small pellet once or twice a day, only as much as they eat in about two minutes. Platies also need plant matter, so include a vegetable or spirulina flake, plus treats of frozen or live brine shrimp and daphnia.

Tankmates: Platies get along with most peaceful community fish, such as other livebearers (mollies, guppies and swordtails), tetras, rasboras and corydoras. Avoid large or aggressive fish that may bully or eat them.

Breeding: Platies are livebearers, so a tank with males and females will almost certainly have babies (fry). Adults will eat fry, so add dense plants or use a breeding box if you want to raise them. Keeping two or three females per male gives the females a break from the males' attention.

Good to know: Variatus are keen jumpers, so keep a tight-fitting lid on the tank. Their long fins can attract fin-nippers, so skip tiger barbs and other nippy fish.