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 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.