▷ Coral Platy | All information and details

Coral Platy data sheet

German name:
coral platy

Scientific name:
Xiphophorus Maculatus

Origin:
Central America

Size:
Body length 4 cm to 6 cm

Aquarium

Length:
Length from 60 cm width

Contents:
From 60 liters

water values

Temperature:
20°- 25° C

pH:
6 – 7.5

GH:
5° – 30°

Behave

Area:
middle pelvic area

Lining:
Dry food flakes, red mosquito larvae and daphnia

Behave:
peaceful, happy to swim

Number:
1 male and at least 2 females

Difficulty level:
Beginner

Posture recommendation

The coral platy is a real beginner’s fish and, with its small body size, is also suitable for small aquariums from 60 liters. It can be socialized with all species that enjoy swimming. As viviparous species its propagation and breeding is very easy, the males constantly drive the females. That’s why you should never keep a pair, but at least 2 females for one male.

The aquarium should be densely planted to provide the females with sufficient hiding places. The fish appear very high-backed because they lack a vertebra. The blaze of color ranges from bright red to yellow through various mixtures with black. Some animals have reflective scales that make them appear green or blue, depending on the angle of light.

Danger: Under no circumstances should they be kept together with dwarf shrimp, as platies like to eat them.

gender differences

The sexes can be easily distinguished, since the females usually have a rounded belly due to their constant pregnancy and appear larger overall. In addition, the males have their sex organ, the gonopodium, at the end of their abdomen. The females try to hide to avoid the intrusiveness of the males.

breed

You can tell from a dark spot around the anus of the female that birth is imminent. Then they look for a place in the thicket of plants where they give birth to the young. These fall out of the anus opening and are fully viable and independent from the start. You can feed them the finest flake food. The young animals are a popular food for all tank residents, including their own parents.

Breeders therefore place the female in a separate tank. If you don’t have this available, you can make do with a spawning box. This is hung in the aquarium. It has a grid dividing it in half horizontally. The newborns fall through the lattice and are thus protected from the female.