Xiphophorus maculatus

The Southern Platyfish, often simply called the Platy, is a wonderful choice for anyone starting their first aquarium. Known for its peaceful temperament and vibrant coloration, it gets along well with many other calm fish, making it a perfect community tank resident. These small, active fish are almost always in motion, exploring the upper and middle levels of the tank with a delightful energy. One of their most fascinating traits is that they are livebearers, meaning the females give birth to tiny, free-swimming baby fish instead of laying eggs. This makes breeding them in a home aquarium an exciting and frequent event. They are not demanding about their care and are quite hardy, forgiving some of the common mistakes that new fishkeepers make. Platies also serve a useful function in the tank, as they enjoy nibbling on algae and the fine layer of microorganisms known as biofilm that grows on surfaces. Their diet is simple to manage; they eagerly accept most prepared fish foods but truly thrive when their meals include some vegetable matter. Their small size means they are suitable for smaller aquariums, though they appreciate being kept in small groups to feel secure and display their natural social behaviors.