Platy (fish)
{{Short description|Defunct genus of freshwater fish}}
{{Hatnote|"Platies" redirects here. Not to be confused with Plati (disambiguation) or Platy (disambiguation)}}
Platy is a common name of freshwater fish in the genus Xiphophorus that lack a "sword" at the bottom of their tails. This species is a livebearer, similar to other fish of the family Poeciliidae, such as the guppy and molly. Platies are native to the east coast of Central America and southern Mexico.{{cite web | url = http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-Platy.htm | title = Platy, Platies - Xiphophorus maculatus | accessdate = 2010-07-24 | work = FishLore.com}}{{cite web | url = http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/livebearers/platy.php | title = Platies - Moonfish, Variegated Platy, Variatus Platy | accessdate = 2010-07-24 | work = Animal-World}}File:Rainbow platy.jpg
The two species, the southern platyfish and the variatus platy, have been interbred to the point where they are difficult to distinguish. Most platies now sold in aquariums are hybrids of both species.
Platy
{{Main|Southern platyfish}}
The platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) grows to a maximum overall length of {{Convert|7.0|cm|abbr=on}}. Sexual dimorphism is slight, the male's caudal fin being more pointed. The anal fin of the male fish has evolved into a gonopodium, a stick-shaped organ used for reproduction. The female southern platyfish's anal fin is fan-shaped. Wild varieties are drab in coloration, lacking the distinctive dark lateral line common to many Xiphophorus species. Platies can have from 20–50 fry (baby fish) at once, as often as once a month. They may also eat their own young.
Variatus platy
{{Main|Variatus platy}}
The variatus platy (Xiphophorus variatus) grows to a maximum overall length of {{Convert|7.0|cm|abbr=on}}. In the wild they are olive in color with black marbling or spots on the side of the caudal peduncle. Large males show blackish blotches on the dorsal fin. Unlike some other members of the genus, X. variatus has no claw at the tip ray. The fourth pectoral ray shows well-developed serrae (i.e. saw-like notches). They typically have 20 to 24 lateral scales, 10 to 12 dorsal rays and two rows of jaw teeth.{{Cite book| last=Page | first=Lawrence M.; Burr, Brooks M.| title=A Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes| year=1991| publisher=Houghton Mifflin| place=New York| isbn=0-395-91091-9}}
Aquarium
Platys are widely used in tropical aquariums. Several different color variations have been developed, such as red, yellow, orange, blue, rainbow (combination of colors) and white.
Platys will usually live for around 3 years if their aquarium water parameters are satisfactory.{{cite web | url = https://www.howtokeepfish.com/tropical-fish-species/ | title = Tropical Fish Species|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115154752/https://www.howtokeepfish.com/tropical-fish-species/|archive-date=15 January 2021|website=howtokeepfish.com}} The platys' ideal water parameters are:
- Water hardness – between 10 and 28 dGH
- Temperature – {{convert|72|to|82|F|C}}{{cite web|url=https://www.petco.com/content/petco/PetcoStore/en_US/pet-services/resource-center/caresheets/platy.html|title=Platy Care Sheet|website=Petco|publisher=Petco Animal Supplies, Inc.|year=2023|access-date=31 May 2023}}
- Water pH – in range from 6.8 to 8.0
See also
References
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