{"product_id":"yellow-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus","title":"Yellow Platy - Xiphophorus maculatus","description":"\u003ch1 data-section-id=\"w9rgox\" data-start=\"314\" data-end=\"354\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003eYellow Platy – \u003cem data-start=\"331\" data-end=\"354\"\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"77mjg\" data-start=\"356\" data-end=\"368\"\u003eOverview:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"369\" data-end=\"813\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong data-start=\"373\" data-end=\"389\"\u003eYellow Platy\u003c\/strong\u003e is a bright, hardy livebearer that brings bold colour and constant activity to peaceful community aquariums. As a selectively bred form of \u003cstrong data-start=\"529\" data-end=\"554\"\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/strong\u003e, it is easy to feed, sociable and well suited to planted tanks with stable, mineral-rich water. It is an excellent beginner fish when kept in suitable conditions, but like all platies, it should not be kept in very soft acidic water or overcrowded aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"18rclky\" data-start=\"815\" data-end=\"837\"\u003eKey Identification:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"838\" data-end=\"1077\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"838\" data-end=\"854\"\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yellow Platy\u003cbr data-start=\"867\" data-end=\"870\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"870\" data-end=\"886\"\u003eOther Names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Golden Platy, Lemon Platy, Yellow Moonfish, Common Platy, Southern Platyfish\u003cbr data-start=\"963\" data-end=\"966\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"966\" data-end=\"986\"\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-start=\"987\" data-end=\"1010\"\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1010\" data-end=\"1013\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1013\" data-end=\"1027\"\u003eFish Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Livebearer \/ Platy\u003cbr data-start=\"1046\" data-end=\"1049\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1049\" data-end=\"1064\"\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Freshwater\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"13oemwk\" data-start=\"1079\" data-end=\"1106\"\u003eNatural Range \u0026amp; Habitat:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1107\" data-end=\"1434\"\u003eWild \u003cem data-start=\"1112\" data-end=\"1135\"\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e is native to eastern Mexico and Central America, where it inhabits warm springs, canals, ditches, creeks and swampy margins with slow-moving water and vegetation. The Yellow Platy is a domesticated aquarium strain, so it should be treated as a captive-bred colour form rather than a wild-type fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1k4fj4a\" data-start=\"1436\" data-end=\"1463\"\u003eAppearance \u0026amp; Adult Size:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1464\" data-end=\"1787\"\u003eYellow Platies usually show a lemon, gold or warm yellow body colour, with shade and intensity varying between individuals. Some fish may have clear fins, pale orange tones, darker edging or small markings depending on the strain. Males are smaller and slimmer with a gonopodium, while females are deeper-bodied and larger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1789\" data-end=\"1866\"\u003eAdults usually reach around \u003cstrong data-start=\"1817\" data-end=\"1827\"\u003e5–6 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e, with females often larger than males.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"zee6g1\" data-start=\"1868\" data-end=\"1892\"\u003eAquarium Suitability:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1893\" data-end=\"2171\"\u003eThis is an excellent fish for peaceful community aquariums, planted beginner tanks and livebearer setups. Yellow Platies appreciate open swimming space, 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=\"2173\" data-end=\"2302\"\u003eThey are not suitable for very soft acidic aquariums, aggressive cichlid tanks, large predatory fish or cramped, unstable setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1jzuw08\" data-start=\"2304\" data-end=\"2333\"\u003eRecommended Aquarium Size:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2334\" data-end=\"2558\"\u003eA practical minimum is \u003cstrong data-start=\"2357\" data-end=\"2388\"\u003e60 litres for a small group\u003c\/strong\u003e, with \u003cstrong data-start=\"2395\" data-end=\"2416\"\u003e90 litres or more\u003c\/strong\u003e preferred for mixed-sex groups, breeding groups or larger communities. A tank length of at least \u003cstrong data-start=\"2514\" data-end=\"2523\"\u003e60 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e is recommended for active platies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"pl4gsq\" data-start=\"2560\" data-end=\"2580\"\u003eWater Conditions:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2581\" data-end=\"2963\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2581\" data-end=\"2597\"\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20–26°C\u003cbr data-start=\"2605\" data-end=\"2608\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2608\" data-end=\"2615\"\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.0–8.2\u003cbr data-start=\"2623\" data-end=\"2626\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2626\" data-end=\"2639\"\u003eHardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderately hard to hard preferred\u003cbr data-start=\"2673\" data-end=\"2676\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2676\" data-end=\"2697\"\u003eAdditional Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Platies do best in mineral-rich, neutral to alkaline water. Avoid very soft acidic conditions, ammonia, nitrite, high nitrate and sudden swings in temperature or hardness. Stable tap water with suitable mineral content is usually better than heavily adjusted water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"3rlnm7\" data-start=\"2965\" data-end=\"2993\"\u003eTemperament \u0026amp; Tank Mates:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2994\" data-end=\"3033\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2994\" data-end=\"3016\"\u003eAquarium Category:\u003c\/strong\u003e Community Fish\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3035\" data-end=\"3344\"\u003eYellow 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=\"3346\" data-end=\"3646\"\u003eAvoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, persistent fin-nippers and soft-water species that require acidic water. Keep in groups, ideally with \u003cstrong data-start=\"3492\" data-end=\"3527\"\u003eone male to two or more females\u003c\/strong\u003e if mixed sexes are kept, as males can chase females. Male-only groups can also work well where breeding is not wanted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1ah6yd9\" data-start=\"3648\" data-end=\"3659\"\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3660\" data-end=\"4020\"\u003eYellow 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 for balanced long-term health.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"2vr35r\" data-start=\"4022\" data-end=\"4051\"\u003eBehaviour in the Aquarium:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4052\" data-end=\"4446\"\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 other males. Females give birth to free-swimming fry rather than laying eggs, and young may survive in planted aquariums if there is enough cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"gyou4p\" data-start=\"4448\" data-end=\"4462\"\u003eCare Notes:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4463\" data-end=\"4930\"\u003eKeep in stable, mature water with good mineral content and regular water changes. Avoid overcrowding, as platies breed readily and water quality can decline quickly in heavily stocked aquariums. Provide plants or décor to give females and fry 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 Yellow Platy line, as \u003cem data-start=\"4871\" data-end=\"4884\"\u003eXiphophorus\u003c\/em\u003e varieties can interbreed freely in captivity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"iot6fl\" data-start=\"4932\" data-end=\"4951\"\u003eRecommended For:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4952\" data-end=\"4960\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1c7763y\" data-start=\"4962\" data-end=\"4978\"\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4979\" data-end=\"5014\"\u003eCommon \/ Captive-bred colour strain\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1x39ni3\" data-start=\"5016\" data-end=\"5036\"\u003eImage Disclaimer:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5037\" data-end=\"5265\"\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, yellow shade, colour intensity, fin markings and body pattern can occur between individual fish\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Warehouse Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":43694706688074,"sku":"AG-103034","price":3.45,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":43694706720842,"sku":"AG-103035","price":3.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":43694706753610,"sku":"AG-103036","price":4.25,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0623\/1877\/2298\/files\/YellowPlaty-Xiphophorusmaculatus_1.jpg?v=1781192737","url":"https:\/\/warehouse-aquatics.co.uk\/products\/yellow-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus","provider":"Warehouse Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}