{"product_id":"blue-glowlight-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus","title":"Blue Glowlight Platy - Xiphophorus maculatus","description":"\u003ch1 data-section-id=\"1wmo9jq\" data-start=\"551\" data-end=\"599\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003eBlue Glowlight Platy – \u003cem data-start=\"576\" data-end=\"599\"\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"77mjg\" data-start=\"601\" data-end=\"613\"\u003eOverview:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"614\" data-end=\"1016\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong data-start=\"618\" data-end=\"642\"\u003eBlue Glowlight Platy\u003c\/strong\u003e is a bright, easy-going livebearer with cool blue tones and an active, cheerful nature. As a selectively bred form of \u003cstrong data-start=\"761\" data-end=\"786\"\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/strong\u003e, it is a reliable choice for peaceful community aquariums, planted beginner setups and mixed livebearer displays. Like all platies, it does best in stable, mineral-rich water and should not be kept in very soft acidic conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"18rclky\" data-start=\"1018\" data-end=\"1040\"\u003eKey Identification:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1041\" data-end=\"1305\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1041\" data-end=\"1057\"\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blue Glowlight Platy\u003cbr data-start=\"1078\" data-end=\"1081\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1081\" data-end=\"1097\"\u003eOther Names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blue Platy, Glowlight Platy, Blue Moon Platy, Blue Common Platy, Southern Platyfish, Moonfish\u003cbr data-start=\"1191\" data-end=\"1194\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1194\" data-end=\"1214\"\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-start=\"1215\" data-end=\"1238\"\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1238\" data-end=\"1241\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1241\" data-end=\"1255\"\u003eFish Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Livebearer \/ Platy\u003cbr data-start=\"1274\" data-end=\"1277\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1277\" data-end=\"1292\"\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Freshwater\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"13oemwk\" data-start=\"1307\" data-end=\"1334\"\u003eNatural Range \u0026amp; Habitat:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1335\" data-end=\"1691\"\u003eWild \u003cem data-start=\"1340\" data-end=\"1363\"\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e is native to Mexico and Central America, where it inhabits warm, slow-moving or sheltered waters such as springs, canals, ditches, creeks and swampy areas with vegetation. FishBase describes the species from warm springs, canals and ditches with slow water, silt bottoms and weedy banks. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1693\" data-end=\"1838\"\u003eThe Blue Glowlight form is a domesticated aquarium strain, so it should be treated as a captive-bred colour variety rather than a wild-type fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1k4fj4a\" data-start=\"1840\" data-end=\"1867\"\u003eAppearance \u0026amp; Adult Size:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1868\" data-end=\"2191\"\u003eBlue Glowlight Platies usually show a pale blue, blue-grey, steel-blue or softly metallic body colour. Some individuals may have darker fin edging, subtle body shading or mixed colour tones depending on the breeding line. Males are smaller and slimmer with a gonopodium, while females are larger, rounder and fuller-bodied.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2193\" data-end=\"2419\"\u003eAdults usually reach around \u003cstrong data-start=\"2221\" data-end=\"2231\"\u003e5–6 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e, with females often larger than males. FishBase lists \u003cem data-start=\"2286\" data-end=\"2309\"\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e at up to \u003cstrong data-start=\"2319\" data-end=\"2340\"\u003e6 cm total length\u003c\/strong\u003e for females, with males usually smaller. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"zee6g1\" data-start=\"2421\" data-end=\"2445\"\u003eAquarium Suitability:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2446\" data-end=\"2724\"\u003eThis is an excellent fish for peaceful community aquariums, planted tanks and livebearer setups. Blue Glowlight Platies appreciate open swimming space, plant cover, floating plants and gentle to moderate filtration. They are active and visible without normally being aggressive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2726\" data-end=\"2859\"\u003eThey are not suitable for very soft acidic aquariums, aggressive cichlid tanks, large predatory fish or cramped, overstocked systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1jzuw08\" data-start=\"2861\" data-end=\"2890\"\u003eRecommended Aquarium Size:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2891\" data-end=\"3195\"\u003eA practical minimum is \u003cstrong data-start=\"2914\" data-end=\"2945\"\u003e60 litres for a small group\u003c\/strong\u003e, with \u003cstrong data-start=\"2952\" data-end=\"2973\"\u003e90 litres or more\u003c\/strong\u003e preferred for mixed-sex groups, breeding groups or larger community aquariums. FishBase gives a minimum aquarium size of around \u003cstrong data-start=\"3102\" data-end=\"3111\"\u003e60 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e, which is a good baseline for active platies. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"pl4gsq\" data-start=\"3197\" data-end=\"3217\"\u003eWater Conditions:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3218\" data-end=\"3665\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3218\" data-end=\"3234\"\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20–26°C\u003cbr data-start=\"3242\" data-end=\"3245\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3245\" data-end=\"3252\"\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.0–8.2\u003cbr data-start=\"3260\" data-end=\"3263\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3263\" data-end=\"3276\"\u003eHardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderately hard to hard preferred\u003cbr data-start=\"3310\" data-end=\"3313\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3313\" data-end=\"3334\"\u003eAdditional Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Platies do best in mineral-rich, neutral to alkaline water. FishBase lists \u003cem data-start=\"3410\" data-end=\"3424\"\u003eX. maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e at pH \u003cstrong data-start=\"3431\" data-end=\"3442\"\u003e7.0–8.0\u003c\/strong\u003e, hardness \u003cstrong data-start=\"3453\" data-end=\"3464\"\u003e9–19 dH\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"3469\" data-end=\"3480\"\u003e18–25°C\u003c\/strong\u003e, while Seriously Fish states that the species must be maintained in moderately hard or harder water and will not thrive in soft acidic conditions. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"3rlnm7\" data-start=\"3667\" data-end=\"3695\"\u003eTemperament \u0026amp; Tank Mates:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3696\" data-end=\"3735\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3696\" data-end=\"3718\"\u003eAquarium Category:\u003c\/strong\u003e Community Fish\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3737\" data-end=\"4056\"\u003eBlue Glowlight Platies are peaceful, lively community fish. Suitable tank mates include other platies, swordtails, mollies in compatible water, peaceful barbs, danios, small rainbowfish, bristlenose plecs, hard-water tolerant Cory-type catfish and other calm community species that enjoy neutral to alkaline conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4058\" data-end=\"4421\"\u003eAvoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, persistent fin-nippers and soft-water species that require acidic conditions. Keep in groups, ideally with \u003cstrong data-start=\"4209\" data-end=\"4244\"\u003eone male to two or more females\u003c\/strong\u003e if mixed sexes are kept, as males may chase females. Fishkeeper also recommends keeping several females to each male to reduce harassment. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1ah6yd9\" data-start=\"4423\" data-end=\"4434\"\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4435\" data-end=\"4905\"\u003eBlue Glowlight Platies are easy-feeding omnivores. Offer quality flakes, small granules and livebearer pellets as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, brineshrimp, cyclops, mosquito larvae and bloodworm. Include vegetable matter such as spirulina flakes, algae-based foods, blanched spinach or courgette. FishBase records wild \u003cem data-start=\"4796\" data-end=\"4810\"\u003eX. maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e feeding on worms, crustaceans, insects and plant matter. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"2vr35r\" data-start=\"4907\" data-end=\"4936\"\u003eBehaviour in the Aquarium:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4937\" data-end=\"5268\"\u003eThis is a sociable, active fish that spends much of its time in the middle and upper levels. It is not a tight shoaler, but it does best with others of its own kind or similar peaceful livebearers. Males display to females and may spar mildly with one another, while females give birth to free-swimming fry rather than laying eggs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"gyou4p\" data-start=\"5270\" data-end=\"5284\"\u003eCare Notes:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5285\" data-end=\"5741\"\u003eKeep in a mature aquarium with stable mineral content and regular water changes. Avoid overcrowding, as platies breed readily and water quality can decline quickly in heavily stocked tanks. Provide plants or décor so females and fry have cover, and use a secure lid because active livebearers can jump. Do not mix different platy strains if you want to preserve the Blue Glowlight colour line, as \u003cem data-start=\"5682\" data-end=\"5695\"\u003eXiphophorus\u003c\/em\u003e varieties can interbreed freely in captivity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"iot6fl\" data-start=\"5743\" data-end=\"5762\"\u003eRecommended For:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5763\" data-end=\"5771\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1c7763y\" data-start=\"5773\" data-end=\"5789\"\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5790\" data-end=\"5839\"\u003eCommon to occasional \/ Captive-bred colour strain\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1x39ni3\" data-start=\"5841\" data-end=\"5861\"\u003eImage Disclaimer:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5862\" data-end=\"6103\"\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, blue shade, glow intensity, body pattern, fin markings and colour coverage can occur between individual fish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Warehouse Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":43694694367306,"sku":"AG-103031","price":2.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":43694694400074,"sku":"AG-103032","price":3.45,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":43694694432842,"sku":"AG-103033","price":3.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0623\/1877\/2298\/files\/BlueGlowlightPlaty-Xiphophorusmaculatus_1.jpg?v=1781190839","url":"https:\/\/warehouse-aquatics.co.uk\/products\/blue-glowlight-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus","provider":"Warehouse Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}