Assorted Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus & related varieties) Colourful, hardy and full of personality, Assorted Platies are among the best freshwater fish for beginners and experienced aquarists alike. Available in a wide range of vibrant colours and patterns, every shipment is unique, making them a fun and lively addition to peaceful community aquariums. Quick Facts Scientific name: Xiphophorus maculatus & related cultivated varieties Common name: Assorted Platy Adult size: Approximately 5β7 cm Tank size: 40L+ recommended Difficulty: π’ Easy Temperament: Peaceful and active Best kept: Groups of 5 or more Is this for you? βοΈ Perfect if: You're starting your first aquarium. You want colourful, active community fish. You enjoy watching livebearers breed naturally. You keep planted freshwater aquariums. β Avoid if: You keep large or aggressive fish. You don't want fish that may reproduce. You prefer rare or specialist species. Your aquarium has unstable water conditions. Why choose Assorted Platies? Platies have earned their reputation as one of the world's most reliable aquarium fish thanks to their hardy nature, peaceful temperament and endless variety of colours. Depending on availability, you may receive fish displaying combinations of red, orange, yellow, blue, black, white or calico patterns, with each shipment offering something different. These active little livebearers spend much of the day exploring every level of the aquarium and are constantly interacting with one another. Their peaceful behaviour makes them ideal companions for many popular community fish, while their confidence makes them a fantastic choice for family aquariums. Because this is an assorted listing, the exact colours, patterns and fin types supplied will vary depending on current stock. If you're looking for a specific Platy variety, please check our individual listings or contact us before ordering. Benefits Wide variety of beautiful colours and patterns Excellent beginner fish Peaceful and community-friendly Hardy and adaptable Active, entertaining behaviour Suitable for planted aquariums Care made simple Temperature: 22β28Β°C pH: 7.0β8.2 Diet: Quality flakes, micro pellets, frozen foods and vegetable-based foods Water: Clean, stable and well-filtered Setup: Planted aquarium with open swimming space and gentle water movement Keep in groups for natural social behaviour. Perform regular partial water changes to maintain excellent water quality. Pairs perfectly with Corydoras Cherry Barbs Honey Gouramis Harlequin Rasboras Bristlenose Catfish NTA Insight: Platies are livebearers, meaning they give birth to free-swimming fry rather than laying eggs. In heavily planted aquariums, it's not uncommon for a few babies to survive naturally without any intervention. If you don't intend to breed them, keeping only one sex is the easiest way to prevent regular fry. FAQ What colours will I receive? This is an assorted listing, so colours and patterns vary depending on current availability. Every shipment is different, and specific varieties cannot be guaranteed unless listed separately. Are Platies suitable for beginners? Absolutely. They are one of the easiest freshwater fish to care for and are an excellent choice for first-time aquarium keepers. Do Platies breed easily? Yes. Healthy males and females will often breed naturally, with females giving birth to live fry approximately every four to six weeks under favourable conditions. Can Platies live with shrimp? Yes. Adult shrimp generally coexist well with Platies, although very small shrimplets may occasionally be eaten. How many Platies should I keep? They are social fish and are happiest in groups of at least five individuals. If keeping both sexes, a ratio of one male to two or three females helps reduce stress on the females.