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The Red Wag Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) is one of the most iconic livebearers in the hobby — a vivid, fire-engine red body paired with bold black “wag” fins that pop in any planted tank. Peaceful, hardy, and endlessly active, platies are an excellent beginner-friendly community fish that breed readily and add constant color and motion to a freshwater setup.
Looking for more freshwater fish? Browse our Fresh Water collection and our Nutrition & Fish Food selection.
Care Guide
- Tank Size:10 gallons minimum — 20+ gallons recommended for a small group
- Temperature:72–78°F (22–26°C)
- pH:6.8–8.0
- GH:10–28 dGH (loves harder, mineral-rich water)
- Feeding:Quality flake or micro pellets, plus frozen brine/daphnia and blanched veggies. Try SFBB Freeze Dried Mysis Shrimp or SFBB Freeze Dried Plankton as a protein boost.
- Temperament:Peaceful — ideal community fish, best in groups of 5 or more
- Max Size:2.5 inches (6 cm)
Specifications
| Common Name | Red Wag Platy |
| Scientific Name | Xiphophorus maculatus |
| Family | Poeciliidae |
| Origin | Captive-bred (wild ancestors from Mexico & Central America) |
| Care Level | Beginner |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years |
| Size at Purchase | Approx. 1 inch |
| Water Type | Freshwater |
Compatibility
Platies are quintessential community fish — calm, social, and tolerant of a wide range of tank mates. They thrive in groups and do best alongside other peaceful species of similar size.
Good tank mates:balloon mollies, guppies, swordtails, corydoras catfish, neon tetras and other small tetras, rasboras, otocinclus, peaceful gouramis, nerite snails, neocaridina shrimp (with cover).
Avoid:aggressive cichlids, large barbs known for fin nipping (e.g., tiger barbs), and any fish large enough to swallow a 2–3 inch platy.
Recommended Foods & Supplies
- SFBB Freeze Dried Mysis Shrimp — high-protein treat platies love
- SFBB Freeze Dried Plankton — varied diet for color and growth
- Nutrition & Fish Food — browse all our community-fish foods
- Maintenance & Water Care — conditioners and water-change essentials
- Freshwater Plants — cover for fry and natural cycling
FAQ
How many platies should I keep together?
Groups of 5 or more are ideal. To minimize harassment, keep more females than males (2–3 females per male).
Do platies breed in a community tank?
Yes — platies are prolific livebearers and will breed readily without intervention. Provide dense plants or a breeder box if you want to save fry.
Are platies good for beginners?
Absolutely. They are hardy, adaptable, peaceful, and forgiving of minor water-parameter swings — one of the best starter fish in the hobby.
What do I feed them?
A high-quality flake or micro-pellet as a staple, supplemented with frozen brine shrimp or daphnia and occasional blanched zucchini or spinach.
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