Red Tux Hi Fin Variatus

The variatus and platy are different species but are closely related and can breed with each other. Variatus tend to have larger fins, are more avid jumpers, and get a little larger. The red tux hi fin variatus is a remarkable livebearer with long, flowing fins and reflective red and black scales.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Platies are hardy and easy to keep. Give them 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.

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: 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.