Coral Red Platy

Xiphophorus maculatus var. Coral Red

The Coral Red Platy is an ode to absolute red. This small fish is a Central American tank: squat, perpetually hungry, and constantly in motion. It is the perfect guest for community aquariums with hard tap water. However, its reproductive ease hides a dark side: they are ruthless predators of their own children. As soon as a female gives birth to dozens of live young, the entire tank (including the mother) turns into a hunting swarm to devour them. Either provide a tank exploding with vegetation (e.g. Java moss), or the brood will be wiped out in less than an hour.

Family: Poeciliidae
Origin: Variante selezionata in cattività. L'antenato selvatico proviene dal Centro America (Messico, Belize, Guatemala).
Origin: Selective breeding and cultivarsCentral America and Caribbean
Tank use: Used in 0 tanks

Species challenges

Temperature

22 °C - 28 °C

7 - 8.5

Water type

Freshwater

Tank level

Surface and middle

Adult size

6 cm

Description

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Ornamental morph developed in captivity, derived from wild Central American strains.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Coral Red Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus). Poeciliid. Compact, stocky and rounded body typical of classic platies.

Social Behavior: Extremely peaceful and sociable, it moves placidly exploring the aquarium. Excellent fish for docile community aquariums.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Intense Coral Red. The body is entirely covered by a bright opaque red/orange coloration, without black spots on the tail or body. Males (visible gonopodium) are smaller and slimmer.

Care and observations

Aquarium Setup: Beginner Tank (Minimum 60 cm / 24 inches). Loves thickets of real or artificial dense plants where to rest and take refuge, and calm water flows.

Diet and Feeding: Micro-Omnivore. Prefers vegetable flakes and spirulina (which helps keep the red bright) supplemented with mosquito larvae (bloodworms).

Water Quality: Calcareous and hard water essential (GH 10-30). Acidic pH makes them lethargic and prone to diseases (Shimmies).

Compatibility and Tankmates: Perfect with Guppies, Corydoras and peaceful Tetras. Do not mix with aggressive poeciliids or swordtails if you want to avoid hybridization.

Aquarium Reproduction: Reproduces incessantly like all poeciliids. The female releases dozens of reddish and autonomous fry every month.

Risks and Diseases: Wasting disease and internal parasites due to overcrowding in commercial breeding facilities.

Fish profile

Temperament: Molto pacifico ma cannibalistico verso i propri avannotti.
Diet: Onnivoro a tendenza vegetariana. Esige alghe, fiocchi a base di spirulina e piccolo cibo vivo.
Tank level: Surface and middle
Adult size: 6 cm
GH: 10 dGH - 30 dGH
KH: n/a
TDS: n/a
Conductivity: n/a

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.