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Freshwater fishFire Red Platy
Fire Red Platy
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Platys have been bred to produce many different colors and patterns. The most common color of platy is red, and these fish are bright additions to the fish tank. Larger than the dwarf coral red platy, the red has a brighter orange tone than the deep red of the dwarf platy.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Xiphophorus maculatus |
| Origin | Southern Mexico and Central America |
| Care Level | Easy, good for beginners |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Adult Size | Up to 2" |
| Lifespan | 3–4 years |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Water Temperature | 70–80°F |
| pH | 7.0–8.2 |
| Breeding | Livebearer – breeds easily in the aquarium |
| Shipping Size | Approx. 1¼" |
Care Guide
Tank setup: Platies are hardy and easy to keep. Give them a filter, a lid and plenty of plants. Use a heater to keep the water steady in the 70s. They prefer harder, slightly alkaline water.
Feeding: Feed a quality flake or small pellet once or twice a day, only as much as they eat in a couple of minutes. Platies also need some plant matter, so a vegetable flake is a good choice. They also enjoy frozen brine shrimp.
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 more females than males gives the females a break from the males' attention.
Good to know: Platies are one of the easiest fish to keep, which makes them a great choice for a first aquarium.
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