Southern platy

Xiphophorus maculatus

A short, deep body and fan tail; red-wag and other colours are selected forms.

A short, deep body and fan tail.

Adult length: Up to 5 cm (standard length, without the tail fin)
Water temperature: 20–25 °C
Lifespan: About 3 years
pH: 7–8
Hardness: 8–20 dGH

Natural habitat: Inhabits springs, canals, ditches, creeks and swamps, usually with slow water, silty beds and weedy margins.

Trade platies can have hybrid ancestry; manage pursuit and offspring. Keep at 20–25°C, pH 7–8 and dH 8–20.

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Appearance and identification

Ordinary southern platies are relatively deep-bodied; wild variatus are more elongated with a slightly longer dorsal. Mature males have a gonopodium while females retain a fan-shaped anal fin; hybrids and selected high-fin forms limit identification from body shape alone.

Same-species behaviour

Males court and pursue females and rival males; keep more females than males in mixed groups. Monitor stress and keep separation options.

Space requirements

Allow a 60 × 30 cm base; plan around adults, swimming room and offspring.

Diet and feeding

Accepts live, frozen and dried foods; provide a complete staple.

Compatibility limits

A generally peaceful community fish, but companions must be similar-sized, peaceful and suited to the same water. Keep stocks separate where hybridization with swordtails or variatus matters. Adults may eat young; do not count on fry survival.