5 × Hawaii Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)

A ready-made group of five tuxedo red-tail platies

The platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) is one of the easiest and most cheerful livebearers, native to the Atlantic slope of Mexico and Central America. The Hawaii is an aquarium-bred colour form: a bright yellow-orange head and front, a black ‘tuxedo’ rear body and a vivid red tail. FishBase and Seriously Fish put the adult size at around 5 cm for the larger females.

This listing is a group: one quantity is five fish, so a single purchase gives you a small, lively group straight away.

What you receive

One quantity is a group of five live Hawaii Platies of about 3–4 cm; two quantities are ten fish. The group is not sexed, so the mix of males and females is not guaranteed. Platies are livebearers and a mixed group will usually produce fry.

The photo shows this colour form; the size of the black area and the intensity of the red vary from fish to fish.

Aquarium and water

An aquarium of about 54 litres or more suits a small group, with open swimming space, some plants and gentle to moderate flow. Platies prefer harder, slightly alkaline water: 20–25°C, pH 7.0–8.0 and 10–19 dGH, the overlap of FishBase and Seriously Fish (see also OATA’s platy guidance). Add them to a mature, cycled aquarium and keep nitrate low with regular water changes. Where males and females are kept together, more females than males reduces chasing.

Feeding

An omnivore: feed a quality flake or micro-pellet with plant or spirulina content, plus small frozen foods such as Daphnia and brine shrimp a few times a week.

Tank mates and behaviour

Peaceful and suited to community aquariums with other livebearers, tetras, rasboras, Corydoras and similar calm fish that like the same harder water. Avoid large predatory fish, and remember that fry will be eaten by most tank mates unless there is dense planting.

Follow the arrival sequence before releasing the fish

Tropical Fish Co’s delivery and Live Arrival Guarantee policy explains the packing and arrival procedure. Livestock is hand-bagged in pure oxygen and placed in an insulated poly box, with a heat pack when the weather calls for it. Someone must be at the address to receive the parcel because live animals cannot be left unattended.

1. Receive the parcel in person and start filming before opening it. Show the parcel still sealed with the outer box visible.
2. Open the parcel in one continuous take. Keep filming until the fish can be seen inside the sealed bag before anything is disturbed.
3. Float the bag for 20–30 minutes so the temperature equalises slowly.
4. Do not pour the bag water into the aquarium. Release the fish without adding transport water to the established system.

If a Live Arrival Guarantee claim is required, contact us on the same day with the order number and the continuous unboxing video. Before the parcel arrives, confirm that ammonia and nitrite read zero and that the aquarium matches the water values on this page.

Frequently asked questions

How many fish do I get?

One quantity is five Hawaii Platies of about 3–4 cm each. Order two for ten fish.

Are the fish sexed?

No. The group is not sexed, so the balance of males and females varies. A mixed group of platies will usually breed.

What water do platies need?

Harder, slightly alkaline water: 20–25°C, pH 7.0–8.0 and 10–19 dGH.

How big do platies grow?

Around 5 cm for females; males stay a little smaller.

Public references

• FishBase: Xiphophorus maculatus — identity, native range, environment and size.
• Seriously Fish: Xiphophorus maculatus — aquarium size, water conditions and behaviour.
• OATA: How to look after platies and swordtails — water quality, feeding and group guidance for platies.
• RSPCA aquarium environment guidance — biological filtration and the aquarium nitrogen cycle.