Platies Care Guides
Green Lantern, Red Wag, Dwarf Red Coral, Red Coral Wag, Sunset, Sunset Wag, Red, Red Tuxedo, Tiger, and Assorted Platies share the same basic care. Color and body variety do not make them different care species.
General Care
Platies are active freshwater livebearers. Start with a cycled aquarium, live plants or other cover, and open swimming space. They need mineral-containing water rather than very soft, acidic conditions. Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero, control nitrate with water changes, and watch population growth. Small juveniles still need a plan for adult space.
Tank sizes below are planning recommendations for adult care. Aquarium footprint, group size, filtration, and individual behavior can require more space. Use stable conditions within the listed range; avoid sudden changes.
Species and Variety Guides
Platies — All Listed Color Varieties
- Scientific name / group: Domestic Xiphophorus platies, primarily X. maculatus strains
- Adult size: usually about 2–3 inches; females grow larger
- Temperature: 72–78°F
- pH: 7.0–8.2
- Water hardness: moderately hard to hard
- Aquarium: 20 gallons or larger for a group
- Temperament: Peaceful livebearer
Aquarium setup: Use plants and gentle filtration, with a sponge guard if keeping fry.
Feeding: Quality flakes or small pellets with plant content plus suitable small frozen foods.
Tank mates: Suitable with peaceful fish that tolerate the same hard water. Avoid predators and persistent fin-nippers.
Breeding: They give birth to live young. Keep more females than males, provide fry cover, and plan a separate grow-out tank. Females can produce later broods after males are removed.
Listed fish / animals: Green Lantern Platy · Red Wag Platy · Dwarf Red Coral Platy · Red Coral Wag Platy · Sunset Platy · Sunset Wag Platy · Red Platy · Red Tuxedo Platy · Tiger Platy · Assorted Platy
Species references and further reading
Ordering & Shipping
Orders must be placed by Sunday night to ship Monday. Check the individual product listing for available sizes, quantities, and shipping and live-arrival terms.