Page 166 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

164 FRESHWATER FISH DIRECTORY

Xiphophorus variatus
Platy Variatus

ORIGINS Central America, occurring in eastern Mexico,
from Tamaulipas state to Veracruz.
SIZE 3 in (7.5 cm).
DIET Prepared foods and small live foods.
WATER Temperature 61–77°F (16–25°C); hard
(100–150 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5).
TEMPERAMENT Placid and social.
As its name suggests, this fish exists in a variety of
forms in the wild, where it occurs in ponds and
slow-flowing stretches of water. Many wild
populations are localized and so develop
individual characteristics. Platy Variatus
are adaptable, simple to maintain, and
breed readily. Mature females can give birth
to as many as 100 offspring each month. They
can be sexed easily, since the female is larger and
lacks the gonopodium, the male copulatory organ.
It is difficult to obtain wild-type strains today
because breeders have altered the coloration,
patterning, and size of these fish so extensively. Golden coloration
Platy Variatus will hybridize with other platies most evident on
and also with swordtails. the underparts

Greenish hue
apparent on
upper body

Hi-Fin Golden Parrot Platy Variatus This
Blue Tuxedo Platy Variatus A Tuxedo Platy’s body attractive gold and green platy also displays
always combines black (at the rear) with another color, the “hi-fin” characteristic, in which the dorsal
such as blue in the case of this variant. fin is greatly enlarged.
Variegated Platies will
Area covered by black
Clear dorsal fin patterning is variable feed readily at the Golden Platy Variatus This variety was
surface of the tank
probably developed from the Platy Variatus
that occur in Mexico’s Rio Axtla, which display
similar markings and a red tail.

Calico Platy Variatus This variant displays a mottled
patterning. There is a Hawaiian strain, in which black
covers almost the entire side of the body.
Black highlights
Orange the golden scales
caudal fin

Green Platy Variatus The vibrant gold of this form is
variable, with some individuals appearing more orange.
This may reflect their diet as well as their breeding.

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