# Platy (*Xiphophorus maculatus*)

Platies are cheerful little fish that are easy to care for. They come in many bright colors and love to swim together!

- **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** Freshwater rivers and ponds
- **Also known as:** Platies, Southern Platyfish

![Platy](https://media.snappit.app/site-media-v1/c8df4f1b0ea6098ed02118f82b1992f3f598bed29f8081b5fe725c70cb159d09/image-560x560/w-560.webp)

## Appearance

The Platy is a small, compact freshwater fish, typically 3-7 cm long. It boasts incredibly vibrant color variations, including red, orange, yellow, and black, often with unique patterns or a distinct black spot near its tail fin.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Bryophyta
- **Class:** Actinopterygii
- **Order:** Cyprinodontiformes
- **Family:** Poeciliidae
- **Genus:** Xiphophorus

## Interesting facts

- Baby platies are called "fry" and are born ready to swim and eat!
- Platy moms can store sperm for months, deciding when to fertilize their eggs!
- There are countless fancy color types, from "Sunset" to "Mickey Mouse" platies!
- Wild platies often have a distinct black "moon spot" near their tail fin!

## Special abilities

- **Live Birth Wonder:** Platy can give birth to live, free-swimming young because they are ovoviviparous, which helps their fry survive better.
- **Chameleon Colors:** Platy has evolved to display a dazzling array of colors and patterns that helps them attract mates or blend into habitats.
- **Hardy Explorer:** Platy can adapt to various water conditions because of their robust nature, which helps them thrive in diverse environments.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 3-7 cm
- **Weight:** 0.001-0.005 kg
- **Lifespan:** 2-5 years
- **Swim Speed:** 0.3 km/h
- **Maximum Depth:** 2 m
- **Water Type:** Freshwater

## Diet & Feeding

These small omnivores munch on tiny plants and critters.

- **Primary Foods:** Algae, Diatoms, Small insect larvae, Crustaceans, Plant matter
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Largemouth Bass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/largemouth-bass) (*Micropterus salmoides*) — A common predator in their shared aquatic habitats.
- **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Rana catesbeiana*) — Tadpoles and adult frogs may prey on small fish.
- **Eats:** Green Algae (*Chlorella vulgaris*) — A primary food source for plant-eating platies.
- **Eats:** Water Flea (*Daphnia magna*) — Tiny crustaceans are a protein-rich part of their diet.

## Traits

- [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
- [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
- [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
- [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.

## Collections

- [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Platy?

Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Platy?

3-7 cm

### How much does Platy weigh?

0.001-0.005 kg

### How long does Platy live?

2-5 years

### What does Platy eat?

These small omnivores munch on tiny plants and critters.

### How fast can Platy swim?

0.3 km/h

### Where is Platy usually found?

Freshwater rivers and ponds

### How does Platy hunt?

Foraging

## Where to spot

- [Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cockroach-bay-aquatic-preserve) — US · Nature Reserve

## More Fish

- [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*)
- [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*)
- [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*)
- [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*)

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Source: [Platy: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/platy)