Platy care

Water temperature

70–80°F

A platy wants water at 70–80°F, pH 7–8.2, and a tank of 10 gallons or bigger. Good tank mates include bettas, guppies, mollies.

Hardy, calm and bright. One of the safest community fish.

Xiphophorus maculatus

pH

7–8.2

Minimum tank

10 gal

Adult size

2.5 in

Temperament

Peaceful

Group

Groups of 3+

Lifespan

3–4 years

Swims at

Middle

Diet

Omnivore

Best tank mates

• BettaYes
• GuppyYes
• MollyYes
• AngelfishYes
• SwordtailYes
• Mystery snailYes
• CorydorasYes
• Paradise fishYes
• Ramshorn snailYes
• Zebra danioYes
• Honey gouramiYes
• CrayfishYes

Full platy tank mate chart: 62 yes, 25 with care, 11 no

Platy water compared

Fish to keep away from platies

• Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); platies need 70–80°F. No temperature suits both.
• Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful platies.
• Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches platies do.
• Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches platies do.
• Black ghost knife An adult black ghost knife eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches platies do.
• African cichlid African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful platies.
• Jack Dempsey An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches platies do.
• White cloud minnow White cloud minnows are coldwater animals (60–72°F); platies need 70–80°F. They overlap only at 70–72°F, the edge of both ranges.

More livebearers

• Guppy72–82°F
• Molly72–82°F
• Swordtail72–79°F
• Endler's livebearer72–82°F