Easy to intermediate
Chocolate Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
£13.99
A 3-4 cm Red Mickey Mouse Platy, Xiphophorus maculatus, for peaceful hard-water community aquariums. Hardy, active and social, with beginner-friendly care and Live Arrival Guarantee.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Xiphophorus maculatus
A 3-4 cm Red Mickey Mouse Platy, Xiphophorus maculatus, for peaceful hard-water community aquariums. Hardy, active and social, with beginner-friendly care and Live Arrival Guarantee.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
The Red Mickey Mouse Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) is a popular livebearer known for its cheerful red colouring and the distinctive dark marking at the base of the tail that gives the fish its “Mickey Mouse” name. Compact, active and generally hardy, this is a classic community species that suits aquarists looking for a colourful fish with an easy temperament and straightforward day-to-day care.
At Tropical Fish Co, we supply healthy live tropical fish selected for quality and condition. This variety is a good option for beginners, but like all live fish it still needs stable water, sensible stocking and a settled aquarium environment. If you are unsure about your local tap water, it is always best to verify your water parameters before adding livebearers.
Platies are social fish that do best when kept in a small group rather than as a lone specimen. They are active throughout the day, spend time in the middle and upper areas of the tank, and are often visible and engaging without being demanding. Their peaceful nature makes them an excellent fit for many mixed community aquariums.
The supplier identity behind this listing is the red Mickey Mouse strain of Xiphophorus maculatus. The updated customer-facing wording keeps the useful common name and scientific anchor without forcing repeated search phrases into every paragraph.
The appeal of this strain is the combination of red body colour and the dark tail-base marking. It is a good visual match for planted community aquariums, where green foliage and darker decor make the colour and pattern easier to see.
Keep a small group where space allows. Mixed-sex groups may breed readily, so plan sex ratios and future stocking before ordering. More cover and swimming room help reduce chasing and give shy fish a better chance to settle.
Red Mickey Mouse Platys are best kept in a mature, well-filtered freshwater aquarium with plenty of swimming space and some planted areas for cover. As a livebearer, this fish appreciates stable conditions more than dramatic changes, so regular maintenance is more important than chasing exact numbers.
A tank of at least 40 litres is the practical starting point for a small group, although a larger aquarium is always easier to maintain and gives the fish more room to swim and interact. Do not overcrowd, and remember that livebearers breed readily, so stock with future growth in mind. If you are planning a community setup, make sure the tank is fully cycled and that your filtration is suitable for the final stocking level.
Use a secure lid if possible, as active fish may make the most of the water surface. A mix of open swimming areas, fine-leaved plants and softer decor can help create a comfortable environment. Aquatic plants are especially useful because they give shy fish a sense of security and can provide shelter for fry if breeding occurs.
Red Mickey Mouse Platys are best kept in stable, mineral-bearing freshwater rather than very soft acidic setups. A practical care range is 20-26 C, pH 7.0-8.2 and roughly 10-30 dGH. Test your aquarium before buying and match tank mates to the same hard-water profile.
The most important point is consistency. Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero, control nitrate with water changes and avoid sudden changes in temperature or chemistry. If your aquarium is designed for soft-water species, this platy may not be the right fit even though it is generally hardy.
Red Mickey Mouse Platys are omnivores and thrive on a varied diet. A good quality tropical flake or small pellet can form the staple food, supported by frozen and live foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm in moderation. They also benefit from vegetable matter in the diet, so spirulina-based foods or blanched greens can be useful additions.
Feeding small amounts once or twice a day is usually sufficient, with only as much food as the fish will consume promptly. Overfeeding is a common cause of poor water quality in community aquariums, so it is better to feed lightly and keep the system clean. A varied diet helps maintain colour, condition and breeding readiness.
This is a peaceful, social fish that generally suits other calm community species. Red Mickey Mouse Platys are not aggressive, although males may occasionally show mild chasing behaviour in the presence of females or in cramped conditions. They are usually best kept with similarly sized, non-nippy fish that will not intimidate them or outcompete them for food.
Good tank mates often include other peaceful livebearers, small tetras, rasboras, danios kept in appropriate conditions, Corydoras catfish and other gentle community species. As always, compatibility depends on the aquarium’s water profile, space and stocking levels, so verify that all species share suitable water parameters before mixing them.
Avoid large predatory fish, fin-nippers and very boisterous species that may stress platys or damage their fins. Fish that require very different water conditions should also be avoided, as long-term success depends on matching the needs of all inhabitants.
Breeding is very relevant for this species because Xiphophorus maculatus is a livebearer. If you keep males and females together, fry may appear without any special intervention. In a community aquarium, however, many of the fry are likely to be eaten unless they have dense plant cover or a separate rearing setup.
For controlled breeding, many keepers keep a higher ratio of females to males to reduce pressure on individual females. If you want to raise young, a separate breeding tank or heavily planted nursery area can improve survival. Because livebearers breed readily, it is sensible to plan ahead so you do not end up overstocked.
Young fish should be offered suitably small foods and kept in clean, stable water. As with all fish breeding, good condition in the parents usually produces better results, so a varied diet and steady maintenance are important.
Red Mickey Mouse Platys are often considered hardy, but hardy does not mean maintenance-free. Poor water quality, sudden changes and chronic stress can all lead to illness. As with most aquarium fish, prevention is much easier than treatment, so focus on stable conditions, sensible stocking and regular maintenance.
Common issues can include stress-related disease, fin damage from unsuitable tank mates and health problems linked to poor water or an unbalanced diet. Because livebearers can be sensitive to long-term instability, it is important to keep the aquarium clean and avoid drastic parameter swings. If a fish is showing signs of illness, check water quality first and act promptly.
If you are unsure about your local water supply, tank maturity or compatibility with existing fish, verify before purchase. Matching the fish to the aquarium is one of the best ways to ensure success.
Eligible livestock orders are packed for transport by UK live-animal courier and supported by the Tropical Fish Co Live Arrival Guarantee. Have the aquarium ready before dispatch, keep the lights low on arrival and temperature-match the bag before gradually mixing small amounts of aquarium water.
Do not rush the first hour. Let the fish settle, avoid feeding immediately after arrival and watch behaviour closely over the first day. If you are unsure about water hardness, tank readiness or compatibility, ask before ordering so the fish has the best possible start.
If you are building a hard-water community aquarium, you may also like the Sunset Platy, Orange Gold Simpson Variatus Platy, Koi Tricolour Swordtail, Golden Tuxedo Male Guppy or Yellow Tuxedo Female Guppy. Choose tank mates by water chemistry and temperament first, then by colour.
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