{"product_id":"berlin-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus","title":"Berlin Platy - Xiphophorus maculatus","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eBerlin Platy – \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBerlin Platy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a colourful captive-bred livebearer, usually showing warm red, orange or gold body colour with contrasting dark markings. As an ornamental strain of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, it is peaceful, active and well suited to mature community aquariums with stable, mineral-rich water. This hardy platy is a good choice for aquarists wanting a bright, easy-feeding fish that remains smaller and calmer than swordtails or mollies.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKey Identification:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Berlin Platy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOther Names:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Berlin Platyfish, Red Berlin Platy, Black Berlin Platy, Fancy Platy, Southern Platyfish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFish Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Livebearer \/ Platy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Freshwater\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNatural Range \u0026amp; Habitat:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWild \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is native to Central America, where it occurs in freshwater habitats from Mexico through to Belize and nearby regions. Natural habitats include warm springs, canals, ditches, creeks and swamps, often with slow-moving water, silty bottoms and weedy banks.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Berlin Platy is a captive-bred aquarium strain, so its colour and pattern are selectively bred traits rather than wild-type features. Aquarium care should still reflect the species’ preference for warm, stable, well-mineralised water with plant cover and open swimming space.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAppearance \u0026amp; Adult Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBerlin Platies vary by line, but they commonly show red, orange, gold or amber body colour with black patterning across the body, fins or tail. Some individuals may be mostly red with dark patches, while others may show stronger black coverage. Males are slimmer and have a gonopodium, while females are usually larger, rounder-bodied and may become fuller when carrying fry.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdults usually reach around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e4–6 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with females often larger than males. Colour depth, black coverage and body shape can vary naturally between individual fish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Suitability:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBerlin Platies are well suited to peaceful community aquariums, planted livebearer displays and beginner-friendly tropical setups. They do best in mature aquariums with stable water quality, gentle to moderate flow, plant cover and plenty of swimming space.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey are not suitable for soft acidic blackwater aquariums, aggressive cichlid tanks, predator communities or unheated aquariums that drop too cold. Although hardy, platies should not be used to cycle new aquariums.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended Aquarium Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA practical minimum is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e60 litres for a small group\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with a tank length of at least \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e60 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e recommended. Larger aquariums of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e75–100 litres or more\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e are better for mixed groups, community tanks and fry management.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlaties are social fish and should be kept in groups rather than singly. For mixed-sex groups, keep more females than males to reduce persistent male attention, with a ratio of around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003etwo or more females per male\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e where possible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Conditions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 20–25°C\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epH:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 7.0–8.0\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHardness:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Moderately hard to hard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditional Notes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Platies need mineral-rich water and should not be kept long term in very soft, acidic conditions. Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero and maintain low nitrate with regular water changes. Stable water quality is more important than chasing exact numbers, but hard, alkaline water is strongly preferred.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament \u0026amp; Tank Mates:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Category:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Community Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBerlin Platies are peaceful, active community fish. Suitable tank mates include guppies, Endler’s livebearers, swordtails, mollies in compatible water, peaceful tetras that tolerate harder water, rasboras, danios, Cory-type catfish, bristlenose plecs and other calm community species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, severe fin-nippers and very soft-water specialist fish. Platies are active feeders, so make sure slower tank mates still receive enough food. Keep in groups, with careful male-to-female ratios if males and females are mixed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBerlin Platies are easy-feeding omnivores. Offer quality flakes, small granules or micro pellets as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, brineshrimp, cyclops and mosquito larvae. Include vegetable matter such as spirulina flakes, algae-based foods or blanched greens to support digestion and colour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed small amounts that are eaten quickly. Platies are eager feeders and can become overweight if overfed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBehaviour in the Aquarium:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an active, visible livebearer that usually swims through the middle and upper areas of the aquarium. Berlin Platies graze on fine algae, biofilm and small food particles between feeds, but they should not be relied on as clean-up fish. Males may display to females and chase occasionally, which is normal, but persistent harassment is reduced by keeping a sensible group ratio.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLike other livebearers, females give birth to free-swimming fry rather than laying eggs. In a planted aquarium, some fry may survive among moss, floating plants and dense cover.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Notes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdd only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Maintain hard, alkaline water, avoid sudden temperature changes and carry out regular partial water changes. Provide plants and cover, but leave open swimming room. Because this is a livebearer, mixed-sex groups can breed regularly, so plan ahead for fry or choose single-sex groups where available.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDo not mix platies with delicate soft-water species if the aquarium is being maintained for livebearer conditions. Quarantine new livebearers where possible, as fancy strains can be sensitive after transport.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended For:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeginner to intermediate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon to occasional \/ Captive-bred ornamental strain\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImage Disclaimer:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, red colour, orange tone, black coverage, body shape and markings can occur between individual fish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Warehouse Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":43701942616138,"sku":"AG-103349","price":2.45,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":43701942648906,"sku":"AG-103350","price":2.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":43701942681674,"sku":"AG-103351","price":3.45,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0623\/1877\/2298\/files\/BerlinPlaty-Xiphophorusmaculatus.jpg?v=1781438901","url":"https:\/\/warehouse-aquatics.co.uk\/products\/berlin-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus","provider":"Warehouse Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}