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The Platy: Tips for Keeping and Breeding Platys
A Platy (Xiphophorus Maculatus) is an extreamly popular live bearing fish found in the aquarium hobby. Platys come in a wide range of colors and shapes. Their bright colors and ease of keeping have made them a very popular freshwater aquarium fish for both beginners and advanced aqaurium owners.
Learn more about Platys and other aquarium fish at Bala Shark Bay Aquarium Fish Resource
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Keeping Your Platy Healthy
Platys are very social fish and like to live in shoals. They do not typically swim together like other Barbs, Tetras and other fish that live in shoals. However they do hang out in groups and are more active when they are kept in groups. When keeping them in an aquarium the best option is to keep 4 or more of them. Keeping 6 in a 10 gal. tank is fine and keeping more than 6 in a larger tank is even better. To divide up the attention of the male Platys the group should consist of 3 or 4 females for every male.
Optimal water conditions for a Platy is a temperature of about 80 F. pH values between 7.5-8.2 and hardness of about 15-30 dGH. However Platys are fairly hardy and can tolerate variations in those numbers.
Keeping the water clean by doing regular partial water changes and keeping a group of 6 or more Platys will help to keep your Platys healthy and happy.
Tips on Platy Breeding
A Platy is a live bearing fish which means that a female Platy will give birth to live fry. The gestation period is normally between 4 to 5 weeks. After gestation a female platy can give birth to as many as 50 fry.
There isn't a whole lot required to breed Platys. They are very prolific breeders and usually all that is needed is a male and a female. If the tank maintenance is kept up then a pair of Platys will regularly spawn many times, producing many broods of Platy fry. The fry should be fed crushed flake food and baby brine shrimp.
Platys are like most live bearing fish and are notorious for trying to eat their babies after they are born. To prevent this the aquarium owner should take steps to separate the fry from the mother. Options for separating the fry are either using a commercial breeding trap or providing plants as hiding places for the fry after they are born.
Follow this link to learn more about
Platys.
Protect The Platy Fry
It is in their nature as live bearing fish to eat the fry after the mother gives birth. This is true for all live bearing fish. As a Platy owner and breeder, it is necessary that certain steps are taken to protect the fry from the mother after they are born. The options for doing this are to either use a commercial breeding trap or provide plenty of plants for hiding places in the aquarium.
There are several different styles of commercial breeding traps available today. Each one is designed to separate the fry from the mother when they are born. Usually it is done by providing a small space for the fry to pass through away from the mother into a separate area of the breeding trap. Breeding traps can be very effective at protecting the fry but they also tend to place a lot of stress on the mother.
Using plants that provide hiding places in the aquarium is a good alternative to a breeding trap. This method will keep stress on the mother to a minimal amount. Some fry might not make it to a hiding place but the strong ones will survive.
Popular Ornamental Varieties
- Mickey Mouse Platy
- Red Wagtail Platy
- Sunset Platy
- Gold Wagtail Platy
- Hawaii Platy
- Marigold Platy
The Platy Aquarium
A very important part of keeping Platys healthy and breeding them is establishing an ideal aquarium for them. The aquarium needs to be a good size and have the all the right pieces of
equipment for it to maintain the best conditions for keeping and breeding Platys. I have broken this section up into the 4 basic parts that are needed to establish an optimal Platy aquarium.
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Fish Tank and Stand
- The most important part is the fish tank itself. The size of the tank will have a very big impact on the amount of Platys that can be kept and how many fry can be raised in the tank before it becomes crowded. The stand needs to be sturdy and able to support the weight of the tank when it is full.
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Hood and Lighting
- The hood provides a cover for the tank and will also hold the lights for the tank. Some hoods have filters built into them.
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Aquarium Heater
- Platys are warm water dwelling fish that prefer temperatures between 72 and 79 degrees. A heater is necessary to maintain the right temperature for the Platys to live in. There are many different types and styles of heaters each with their own special benefits.
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Aquarium Filter
- In an enclosed aquarium environment, waste products can build up quickly. Good filtration is a must for any tank that will be the home to Platys. A good filter will remove the toxins from the water and help keep the water conditions optimal for keeping and breeding Platys.
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Home Aquarium Supplies
- Not just supplies. This site gives you tips on buying all the right equipment to set up a fish tank. Be sure to visit this site if you're looking at setting up a platy aquarium.
Science and Nature Headlines from BBC News
Great Books on Amazon
Buy these books for your personal library and always have answers right at your fingertips when you need them the most. I highly recommend getting a copy of "Guppies, Mollies, Platys A Complete Pet Owner's Manual". For less than $8.00 you can't go wrong adding that book to your personal library!
Great Deals From PetCo
Marineland Stealth 50 Visi-Therm Submersible Aquarium Heater (8" Length)
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Completely submersible aquarium heater is calibrated for superior accuracy in your freshwater or marine aquarium.The UL-approved heater is so streamli... more »
Completely submersible aquarium heater is calibrated for superior accuracy in your freshwater or marine aquarium.The UL-approved heater is so streamlined, you can't even tell it's there.Temp Select DialAllows easy setting, just dial to the desired aquarium temperature.Reinforced Plastic CasingProtects components against UV s and thermal/mechanical shock.Overheat ProtectionShuts down if heater is left out of water. Restarts automatically when in water.Aluminum Cylinder and Eight-Cavity Heating ElementDistribute core heat evenly.Shock AbsorberSafely secures heating element.
Marineland Stealth 200 Visi-Therm Submersible Aquarium Heater (13" Length)
Price: $37.99
Completely submersible aquarium heater is calibrated for superior accuracy in your freshwater or marine aquarium.The UL-approved heater is so streamli... more »
Completely submersible aquarium heater is calibrated for superior accuracy in your freshwater or marine aquarium.The UL-approved heater is so streamlined, you can't even tell it's there.Temp Select DialAllows easy setting, just dial to the desired aquarium temperature.Reinforced Plastic CasingProtects components against UV s and thermal/mechanical shock.Overheat ProtectionShuts down if heater is left out of water. Restarts automatically when in water.Aluminum Cylinder and Eight-Cavity Heating ElementDistribute core heat evenly.Shock AbsorberSafely secures heating element.
Hagen Aqua Clear 20 Aquarium Power Filter (100 GPH)
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Quiet, efficient and reliable Aqua Clear 20 pumps 100 gph. Recommended for aquariums up to 20 gallons. Aqua Clear stands alone as the only aquarium... more »
Quiet, efficient and reliable Aqua Clear 20 pumps 100 gph. Recommended for aquariums up to 20 gallons. Aqua Clear stands alone as the only aquarium power filter that offers the integrated filtration of the CycleGuard Insert System. Aqua Clear combines the largest volume of efficient filter media in individual inserts with the powerful water flows from the free floating impeller. Alternate replacement of the CycleGuard inserts ensures continuous biological removal of organic toxins can be achieved. The waterfall style output from the Aqua Clear filter agitates the surface of the water while creating beneficial currents throughout the entire volume of the aquarium. Both the surface agitation and the rotational currents bring more water molecules to the surface, in physical contact with the atmosphere, enabling them to release carbon dioxide and replenish oxygen more efficiently. In addition, the constantly moving water currents do not allow dead spots to occur in the aquarium, eliminating the possibility of thermal layering. Water input per hour is regulated by adjusting the patented flow adjustment mechanism, tailoring the flow rate to the aquarium's requirements. When the flow adjustment reduces input, the water returned to the aquarium is still equal to input, but the top grid in the filter basket circulates purified water back into the motor chamber so that the pump filters 100 gallons per hour even when adjusted to siphon less. Water may be filtered more than once without reducing the actual flow rate of the pump unit. The Aqua Clear 20 actively draws dirty aquarium water through the integrated siphon/strainer assembly into the pump impeller chamber. The flow diverter directs the powerful water current from the impeller chamber under the filter basket. The water is forced to move through the provided filter media and then returned purified to the aquarium. Aqua Clear Power Filters are designed to fully exploit the benefits of removing aquarium wastes both mechanically and biologically. The recommended CycleGuard filter media, when used and rotated as suggested, ensures that both mechanical removal of particulate matter and biological filtration of ammonia and nitrite combine for proven beneficial results to all aquarium inhabitants. Aqua Clear's unique CycleGuard system offers maximal amounts of time proven filter media to perform the assorted purification jobs required for optimal water conditions in the aquarium. CycleGuard inserts break the water stream into many ever-changing channels, passing through the entire length of media before being returned to the aquarium. The CycleGuard Media Step System provides extremely effective mechanical debris removal. The screen size for particles reduces with each step, trapping the large particles first and the fine ones deeper in the chamber. The Step 1 Foam traps larger particulate matter before it can clog and block other inserts. Step 2 Ultragrade Activated Carbon adsorbs lique
Hagen AquaClear 30 Aquarium Power Filter (150 GPH)
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Quiet, efficient and reliable Aqua Clear 30 pumps 150 gph. Recommended for aquariums up to 30 gallons. Aqua Clear stands alone as the only aquarium... more »
Quiet, efficient and reliable Aqua Clear 30 pumps 150 gph. Recommended for aquariums up to 30 gallons. Aqua Clear stands alone as the only aquarium power filter that offers the integrated filtration of the CycleGuard Insert System. Aqua Clear combines the largest volume of efficient filter media in individual inserts with the powerful water flows from the free floating impeller. Alternate replacement of the CycleGuard inserts ensures continuous biological removal of organic toxins can be achieved. The waterfall style output from the Aqua Clear filter agitates the surface of the water while creating beneficial currents throughout the entire volume of the aquarium. Both the surface agitation and the rotational currents bring more water molecules to the surface, in physical contact with the atmosphere, enabling them to release carbon dioxide and replenish oxygen more efficiently. In addition, the constantly moving water currents do not allow dead spots to occur in the aquarium, eliminating the possibility of thermal layering. Water input per hour is regulated by adjusting the patented flow adjustment mechanism, tailoring the flow rate to the aquarium's requirements. When the flow adjustment reduces input, the water returned to the aquarium is still equal to input, but the top grid in the filter basket circulates purified water back into the motor chamber so that the pump filters 150 gallons per hour even when adjusted to siphon less. Water may be filtered more than once without reducing the actual flow rate of the pump unit. The Aqua Clear 30 actively draws dirty aquarium water through the integrated siphon/strainer assembly into the pump impeller chamber. The flow diverter directs the powerful water current from the impeller chamber under the filter basket. The water is forced to move through the provided filter media and then returned purified to the aquarium. Aqua Clear Power Filters are designed to fully exploit the benefits of removing aquarium wastes both mechanically and biologically. The recommended CycleGuard filter media, when used and rotated as suggested, ensures that both mechanical removal of particulate matter and biological filtration of ammonia and nitrite combine for proven beneficial results to all aquarium inhabitants. Aqua Clear's unique CycleGuard system offers maximal amounts of time proven filter media to perform the assorted purification jobs required for optimal water conditions in the aquarium. CycleGuard inserts break the water stream into many ever-changing channels, passing through the entire length of media before being returned to the aquarium. The CycleGuard Media Step System provides extremely effective mechanical debris removal. The screen size for particles reduces with each step, trapping the large particles first and the fine ones deeper in the chamber. The Step 1 Foam traps larger particulate matter before it can clog and block other inserts. Step 2 Ultragrade Activated Carbon adsorbs lique
Hagen AquaClear 50 Aquarium Power Filter (200 GPH)
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Quiet, efficient and reliable Aqua Clear 50 pumps 200 gph. Recommended for aquariums up to 50 gallons. Aqua Clear stands alone as the only aquarium... more »
Quiet, efficient and reliable Aqua Clear 50 pumps 200 gph. Recommended for aquariums up to 50 gallons. Aqua Clear stands alone as the only aquarium power filter that offers the integrated filtration of the CycleGuard Insert System. Aqua Clear combines the largest volume of efficient filter media in individual inserts with the powerful water flows from the free floating impeller. Alternate replacement of the CycleGuard inserts ensures continuous biological removal of organic toxins can be achieved. The waterfall style output from the Aqua Clear filter agitates the surface of the water while creating beneficial currents throughout the entire volume of the aquarium. Both the surface agitation and the rotational currents bring more water molecules to the surface, in physical contact with the atmosphere, enabling them to release carbon dioxide and replenish oxygen more efficiently. In addition, the constantly moving water currents do not allow dead spots to occur in the aquarium, eliminating the possibility of thermal layering. Water input per hour is regulated by adjusting the patented flow adjustment mechanism, tailoring the flow rate to the aquarium's requirements. When the flow adjustment reduces input, the water returned to the aquarium is still equal to input, but the top grid in the filter basket circulates purified water back into the motor chamber so that the pump filters 200 gallons per hour even when adjusted to siphon less. Water may be filtered more than once without reducing the actual flow rate of the pump unit. The Aqua Clear 50 actively draws dirty aquarium water through the integrated siphon/strainer assembly into the pump impeller chamber. The flow diverter directs the powerful water current from the impeller chamber under the filter basket. The water is forced to move through the provided filter media and then returned purified to the aquarium. Aqua Clear Power Filters are designed to fully exploit the benefits of removing aquarium wastes both mechanically and biologically. The recommended CycleGuard filter media, when used and rotated as suggested, ensures that both mechanical removal of particulate matter and biological filtration of ammonia and nitrite combine for proven beneficial results to all aquarium inhabitants. Aqua Clear's unique CycleGuard system offers maximal amounts of time proven filter media to perform the assorted purification jobs required for optimal water conditions in the aquarium. CycleGuard inserts break the water stream into many ever-changing channels, passing through the entire length of media before being returned to the aquarium. The CycleGuard Media Step System provides extremely effective mechanical debris removal. The screen size for particles reduces with each step, trapping the large particles first and the fine ones deeper in the chamber. The Step 1 Foam traps larger particulate matter before it can clog and block other inserts. Step 2 Ultragrade Activated Carbon adsorbs lique
Aquariums on eBay
A great way to save some money on a fish tank is to order one from eBay!
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Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Visit Some Of My Other Lenses
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Keeping and Breeding Dwarf Gouramis
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Keeping and Breeding Fancy Tail Guppies
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The Fancy Guppy (Poecilia Reticulata) is one of the most popular fresh water fish and the most popular live bearing fish in the hobby. They can be found in a wide range of ornamental shapes and color varieties. Guppies are low maintenance and fun to...
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Keeping and Breeding Black Mollies
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The Black Molly (Poecilia Sphenops) is a popular color variety of Molly that is distinguished by a completely black body. They grow to be about 3" in length and do well in an aquarium that is 20 gal. or larger. Black Mollies are from a species o...
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Cory Catfish: The Coolest Catfish Ever
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Cory Catfish are a small, peaceful species of catfish that usually only grow to be between 2" and 3" in size. Out of all the aquarium catfish, Corydoras or cory catfish are by far the most popular. They are the coolest catfish ever.
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Keeping and Breeding Freshwater Angelfish
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Freshwater Angelfishes are very popular among aquarium owners. They are the best known fish of all the cichlids. Angelfish are can be found in a variety of shapes and colors with as many as 30 different species found in the hobby today. They are very...
Reader Feedback
Give me your feedback.
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Dustinius
Platys are not Goldfish. They are like Mollies and are warm water fish. Goldfish are cold water fish.
Posted February 06, 2008
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thomasz
Nice lens. Great info. Platy's are nice goldfishes.
Posted February 06, 2008
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