{"product_id":"hawaii-variatus-platy-xiphophorus-variatus","title":"Hawaii Variatus Platy - Xiphophorus variatus","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eHawaii Variatus Platy – \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eXiphophorus variatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHawaii Variatus Platy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a colourful captive-bred livebearer selected for bright ornamental colour and active community behaviour. As a strain of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eXiphophorus variatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, it is closely related to standard platies but is generally more tolerant of cooler conditions, making it a useful choice for temperate or cooler tropical aquariums. It is peaceful, hardy and best kept in stable, mineral-rich water with plant cover and open swimming space.\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 Hawaii Variatus Platy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOther Names:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Hawaiian Variatus Platy, Variatus Platy, Variable Platy, Fancy Variatus, Sunset Variatus Platy\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 variatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFish Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Livebearer \/ Variatus 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 variatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is native to Mexico, where it occurs in freshwater habitats including warm springs, weedy canals and slow-moving waters. These environments often contain plant growth, open swimming areas and mineral-rich water.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Hawaii Variatus Platy is a captive-bred aquarium strain, so its colour pattern is selectively bred rather than a wild locality feature. Aquarium care should still reflect the species’ preference for hard, alkaline water, stable conditions and planted cover.\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\u003eHawaii Variatus Platies can vary by breeding line, but they commonly show bright yellow, orange, red, gold or multicoloured body tones, often with darker fin or tail markings. Males are slimmer and have a gonopodium, while females are larger, deeper-bodied and may become noticeably 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\u003e5–7 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with females often larger than males. Colour intensity, fin pattern and body markings 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\u003eHawaii Variatus Platies are well suited to peaceful community aquariums, planted livebearer displays and cooler tropical or temperate indoor setups. They are active, visible fish that do well in mature aquariums with stable water quality, gentle to moderate flow, plants and open swimming areas.\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 outdoor ponds that become too cold. Although hardy, they 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\u003e75 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\u003e90–120 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\u003eVariatus Platies are social livebearers and should be kept in groups. For mixed-sex groups, keep more females than males to reduce persistent male attention, ideally around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003etwo or more females per male\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Male-only groups can also work where fry are not wanted.\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 18–25°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 Variatus Platies need mineral-rich water and should not be kept long term in very soft, acidic conditions. They are cooler-tolerant compared with many tropical livebearers, but stability remains essential. Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero and maintain low nitrate with regular partial water changes.\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\u003eHawaii Variatus Platies are peaceful, active community fish. Suitable tank mates include White Cloud Mountain Minnows, danios, Peppered Corys, Barbatus Corys, other temperate-tolerant livebearers, peaceful barbs, bristlenose plecs and calm community species that enjoy similar hard-water conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, severe fin-nippers, very soft-water specialist fish and very warm-water species that need constant high tropical temperatures. Platies are active feeders, so make sure slower tank mates still receive enough food.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHawaii Variatus 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. Variatus 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. Hawaii Variatus Platies browse 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 parameter swings and carry out regular partial water changes. Provide plants and cover, but leave open swimming room.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis species is useful for cooler indoor aquariums, but it should still be protected from sudden chills and poor water quality. 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\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, colour, fin pattern, body shape and markings can occur between individual fish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Warehouse Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":43682983215178,"sku":"AG-102989","price":1.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":43682983247946,"sku":"AG-102990","price":2.45,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":43682983280714,"sku":"AG-102991","price":2.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0623\/1877\/2298\/files\/HawaiiVariatusPlaty-Xiphophorusvariatus_1.jpg?v=1781002497","url":"https:\/\/warehouse-aquatics.co.uk\/products\/hawaii-variatus-platy-xiphophorus-variatus","provider":"Warehouse Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}