{"product_id":"sunset-wagtail-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus","title":"Sunset Wagtail Platy - Xiphophorus maculatus","description":"\u003ch1 data-section-id=\"vt6qum\" data-start=\"369\" data-end=\"417\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003eSunset Wagtail Platy – \u003cem data-start=\"394\" data-end=\"417\"\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"77mjg\" data-start=\"419\" data-end=\"431\"\u003eOverview:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"432\" data-end=\"865\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong data-start=\"436\" data-end=\"460\"\u003eSunset Wagtail Platy\u003c\/strong\u003e is a bright, hardy livebearer with warm yellow, orange and red sunset colouring set off by a dark black tail. As a selectively bred form of \u003cstrong data-start=\"601\" data-end=\"626\"\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/strong\u003e, it is active, peaceful and well suited to planted community aquariums with stable, mineral-rich water. This is a classic beginner-friendly fish, but it still needs proper group care, good water quality and suitable hard-water tank mates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"18rclky\" data-start=\"867\" data-end=\"889\"\u003eKey Identification:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"890\" data-end=\"1158\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"890\" data-end=\"906\"\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sunset Wagtail Platy\u003cbr data-start=\"927\" data-end=\"930\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"930\" data-end=\"946\"\u003eOther Names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sunset Platy, Wagtail Platy, Red Sunset Wagtail Platy, Southern Platyfish, Common Platy, Moonfish\u003cbr data-start=\"1044\" data-end=\"1047\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1047\" data-end=\"1067\"\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-start=\"1068\" data-end=\"1091\"\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1091\" data-end=\"1094\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1094\" data-end=\"1108\"\u003eFish Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Livebearer \/ Platy\u003cbr data-start=\"1127\" data-end=\"1130\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1130\" data-end=\"1145\"\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Freshwater\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"13oemwk\" data-start=\"1160\" data-end=\"1187\"\u003eNatural Range \u0026amp; Habitat:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1188\" data-end=\"1584\"\u003eWild \u003cem data-start=\"1193\" data-end=\"1216\"\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e is native to eastern Mexico and Central America, with FishBase recording the species from warm springs, canals, ditches, creeks and swamps, often in slow-moving or weedy habitats. The Sunset Wagtail form is a domesticated aquarium strain, so it should be treated as a captive-bred ornamental variety rather than a wild-type fish. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1k4fj4a\" data-start=\"1586\" data-end=\"1613\"\u003eAppearance \u0026amp; Adult Size:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1614\" data-end=\"1959\"\u003eSunset Wagtail Platies usually show a yellow to orange body that deepens into red or orange-red towards the rear, with a contrasting black tail and sometimes darker dorsal or pelvic fins. Pattern and colour intensity vary naturally between individuals. Males are smaller and slimmer with a gonopodium, while females are larger and fuller-bodied.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1961\" data-end=\"2191\"\u003eAdults usually reach around \u003cstrong data-start=\"1989\" data-end=\"1999\"\u003e5–6 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e, with females often larger than males. FishBase lists \u003cem data-start=\"2054\" data-end=\"2077\"\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e at up to \u003cstrong data-start=\"2087\" data-end=\"2124\"\u003e4 cm TL for males or unsexed fish\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"2129\" data-end=\"2152\"\u003e6 cm TL for females\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"zee6g1\" data-start=\"2193\" data-end=\"2217\"\u003eAquarium Suitability:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2218\" data-end=\"2506\"\u003eThis is an excellent choice for peaceful community aquariums, planted beginner tanks and livebearer setups. Sunset Wagtail Platies appreciate open swimming areas, plant cover, floating plants and gentle to moderate filtration. They are active and visible without usually being aggressive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2508\" data-end=\"2626\"\u003eThey are not suitable for very soft acidic aquariums, aggressive cichlid tanks or aquariums with large predatory fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1jzuw08\" data-start=\"2628\" data-end=\"2657\"\u003eRecommended Aquarium Size:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2658\" data-end=\"2958\"\u003eA practical minimum is \u003cstrong data-start=\"2681\" data-end=\"2712\"\u003e60 litres for a small group\u003c\/strong\u003e, with \u003cstrong data-start=\"2719\" data-end=\"2740\"\u003e90 litres or more\u003c\/strong\u003e preferred for mixed-sex groups, breeding groups or larger communities. FishBase gives a minimum aquarium size of around \u003cstrong data-start=\"2861\" data-end=\"2870\"\u003e60 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e, which is a sensible baseline for active platies. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"pl4gsq\" data-start=\"2960\" data-end=\"2980\"\u003eWater Conditions:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2981\" data-end=\"3409\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2981\" data-end=\"2997\"\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20–26°C\u003cbr data-start=\"3005\" data-end=\"3008\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3008\" data-end=\"3015\"\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.0–8.2\u003cbr data-start=\"3023\" data-end=\"3026\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3026\" data-end=\"3039\"\u003eHardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderately hard to hard preferred\u003cbr data-start=\"3073\" data-end=\"3076\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3076\" data-end=\"3097\"\u003eAdditional Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Platies do best in mineral-rich, neutral to alkaline water rather than very soft acidic conditions. FishBase lists \u003cem data-start=\"3213\" data-end=\"3227\"\u003eX. maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e at pH \u003cstrong data-start=\"3234\" data-end=\"3245\"\u003e7.0–8.0\u003c\/strong\u003e, hardness \u003cstrong data-start=\"3256\" data-end=\"3267\"\u003e9–19 dH\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"3272\" data-end=\"3283\"\u003e18–25°C\u003c\/strong\u003e, while Seriously Fish recommends \u003cstrong data-start=\"3317\" data-end=\"3328\"\u003e20–26°C\u003c\/strong\u003e, pH \u003cstrong data-start=\"3333\" data-end=\"3344\"\u003e7.0–8.2\u003c\/strong\u003e and hardness \u003cstrong data-start=\"3358\" data-end=\"3370\"\u003e10–30 dH\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"3rlnm7\" data-start=\"3411\" data-end=\"3439\"\u003eTemperament \u0026amp; Tank Mates:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3440\" data-end=\"3479\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3440\" data-end=\"3462\"\u003eAquarium Category:\u003c\/strong\u003e Community Fish\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3481\" data-end=\"3798\"\u003eSunset Wagtail Platies are peaceful, lively community fish. Suitable tank mates include other platies, swordtails, mollies in compatible water, peaceful barbs, danios, small rainbowfish, bristlenose plecs, Cory-type catfish in suitable water and other calm community species that enjoy neutral to alkaline conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3800\" data-end=\"4175\"\u003eAvoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, persistent fin-nippers and soft-water species that require acidic conditions. Keep in groups, ideally with \u003cstrong data-start=\"3951\" data-end=\"3986\"\u003eone male to two or more females\u003c\/strong\u003e if mixed sexes are kept, as males can chase females. Fishkeeper also notes that several females per male helps reduce harassment in livebearer groups. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1ah6yd9\" data-start=\"4177\" data-end=\"4188\"\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4189\" data-end=\"4527\"\u003eSunset Wagtail 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"2vr35r\" data-start=\"4529\" data-end=\"4558\"\u003eBehaviour in the Aquarium:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4559\" data-end=\"4888\"\u003eThis is a sociable, active fish that spends most 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. Females give birth to free-swimming fry rather than laying eggs, and fry may survive in planted aquariums if there is enough cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"gyou4p\" data-start=\"4890\" data-end=\"4904\"\u003eCare Notes:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4905\" data-end=\"5388\"\u003eKeep in stable, mature water with good mineral content and regular water changes. Avoid overcrowding, as livebearers breed readily and water quality can decline quickly in heavily stocked tanks. Provide plants or décor to give females and young fish cover. A secure lid is recommended, as active livebearers may jump if startled. Do not mix different platy strains if you want to preserve the Sunset Wagtail colour line, as \u003cem data-start=\"5329\" data-end=\"5342\"\u003eXiphophorus\u003c\/em\u003e varieties can interbreed freely in captivity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"iot6fl\" data-start=\"5390\" data-end=\"5409\"\u003eRecommended For:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5410\" data-end=\"5418\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1c7763y\" data-start=\"5420\" data-end=\"5436\"\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5437\" data-end=\"5472\"\u003eCommon \/ Captive-bred colour strain\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1x39ni3\" data-start=\"5474\" data-end=\"5494\"\u003eImage Disclaimer:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5495\" data-end=\"5745\"\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, colour, black tail coverage, sunset colour intensity, fin markings and body pattern can occur between individual fish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Warehouse Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":43684413997130,"sku":"AG-103025","price":2.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":43684414029898,"sku":"AG-103026","price":2.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":43684414062666,"sku":"AG-103027","price":3.45,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0623\/1877\/2298\/files\/SunsetWagtailPlaty-Xiphophorusmaculatus_1.jpg?v=1781021516","url":"https:\/\/warehouse-aquatics.co.uk\/products\/sunset-wagtail-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus","provider":"Warehouse Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}