Xiphophorus maculatus
Hardier and longer-lived than guppies, same hard-alkaline water, more colour variants (red wagtail, mickey-mouse, sunset, calico). 3:1 female:male ratio prevents male harassment. Bred so heavily commercially that beautiful colours sometimes hide a fragile constitution; buy from a local breeder where you can.
Southern Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) reaches 4–6 cm as an adult and needs a minimum tank of 60 L. Native to Mexico and Central America, it lives in the mid to top water column with a peaceful temperament. Aim for 20–26 °C, pH 7.0–8.2, and 10–25 dGH hardness. Lifespan is 3–5 years with good care. Keep southern platy in groups of 4+, no (live in groups) schoolers need numbers to display natural behaviour. Diet: omnivore, Crushed flake, micro pellets, blanched veg (spinach, courgette). Eats 1–2x daily. Plant-safe: Yes. Shrimp-safe: Yes (with adults; may eat shrimplets).
Care at a glance
Hardier and longer-lived than guppies, same hard-alkaline water, more colour variants (red wagtail, mickey-mouse, sunset, calico). 3:1 female:male ratio prevents male harassment. Bred so heavily commercially that beautiful colours sometimes hide a fragile constitution; buy from a local breeder where you can.
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Part of our complete guide to aquarium fish for the planted tank.
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The parameters that decide whether southern platy fits in your tank.
Mid to Top
No
Small group of 4+
Poeciliidae
Omnivore
Crushed flake, micro pellets, blanched veg (spinach, courgette). Eats 1–2x daily.
3–5 yrs
Very Easy
Slow weedy springs and pools of southern Mexico
Mexico and Central America
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
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Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Southern Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) needs a minimum tank of 60 L. They live in the mid to top water column and should be kept in groups of 4+, so a longer footprint matters more than depth.
Target 20–26 °C, pH 7.0–8.2, and 10–25 dGH hardness. Acclimate slowly when moving them between water sources.
Shrimp safety: Yes (with adults; may eat shrimplets). Plant safety: Yes.
Southern Platy are omnivore. Crushed flake, micro pellets, blanched veg (spinach, courgette). Eats 1–2x daily.
On Fin & Stem's 1–5 difficulty scale this species rates 1/5. Almost unkillable, a solid first-tank choice. Breeding difficulty: very easy.
Typical lifespan in a well-maintained tank is 3–5 years.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this fish with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
