platy fish
are easy to care for because these fish are hardy and can tolerate most tank conditions. They do best in the company of their own kind and require a tank that simulates their natural habitat. Platy fish are omnivores and should be fed a varied diet of frozen and
live foods
, pellets, flakes, and vegetables.
How many platies should be kept together?
How many platies should be kept together? A group of three to six platies is a good starting point As with most livebearers, the males constantly want to mate, so try to keep at least two females for every one male to give the girls a break.
How often do you feed platy fish?
As adults, you’ll be able to feed these fish just once a day like most other mature fish, which makes them generally easy to keep happy. In the wild, it’s common for a platy to go without food for a day or two, so if you plan on going away overnight and are concerned about them starving, there’s no need to be.
Are platies good for beginners?
As most other species from the Poeciliidae family, platies are great fish for both beginners and experienced aquarists They are easy to keep and breed and their potential is great.
How do I know if my platys are happy?
- Swim actively throughout the entire tank, not just hanging out or laying at the bottom, floating near the top or hiding behind plants and ornaments.
- Eat regularly and swim to the surface quickly at feeding time.
Do platys need filters?
Being a live animal, Platy needs to eat. And because it eats, it’s going to create waste. On the top of that leftover food and dried leaves from plants will rot and become waste, too. All those toxins are harmful to your fish, therefore, your Platy also needs a filter to remain healthy and happy.
How can you tell what gender a platy is?
Find the Fins Look closely at your platy’s underside, and note the two fins protruding from its belly The fin in the rear, or anal fin, is called the gonopodium. In female platys this fin is shaped like a fan. If your platy is male, however, the gonopodium will be pointy, flat and long.
What is the best food for platys?
As for live foods, platies will happily accept most of the more common live foods. They will eat blackworms, bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp, fruit flies and mosquito larvae (illegal to culture in many areas). If you can’t provide live foods, then frozen foods are nearly as good and far more convenient.
Can platys eat goldfish flakes?
Goldfish food includes a higher amount of cereal content vegetable content with protein. But, if you are feeding goldfish food to platys, make sure to select food with minimum cereal content. High cereal content is not good for the platy diet Always pick goldfish food with an increased range of vegetables and protein.
What can live with platys?
- Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)
- Betta (Betta splendens)
- Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii)
- Fancy Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
- Black Molly (Poecilia sphenops)
- Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)
- Corydoras Catfish (Brochis splendens)
- Zebra Danio (Brachydanio rerio)
How big do platys get?
The platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) grows to a maximum overall length of 7.0 cm (2.8 in) Sexual dimorphism is slight, the male’s caudal fin being more pointed. The anal fin of the male fish has evolved into a gonopodium, a stick-shaped organ used for reproduction. The female southern platyfish’s anal fin is fan-shaped.
Can bettas live with platys?
Yes, Betta fish can be kept in the same aquarium as Platies Both fish are peaceful and require very similar water parameters and both species of fish will eat the same food. Also, as Platies are a livebearing species of fish, keeping a Betta in the same tank will help the Platy population under control.
What is the hardest fish to take care of?
- Freshwater eels.
- Goldfish
- Dwarf gouramis
- Dye injected fish
- Discus
- Angelfish
- 8. “ Fancy” guppies
- Glass catfish. These little guys look like they could add visual interest to any community aquarium because of their uncommon appearance
What is the hardiest pet fish?
1. Zebra danio Zebra danios, Danio rerio, are just about the hardiest tropical fish you’ll ever keep. They don’t mind if the water is hard or soft, still or flowing, warm or unheated, and they are the single best fish for new fishkeepers and new aquariums.
How long do platy fish live for?
Lifespan : How long do they live for? This depends on a lot of different variables (food, aquarium water parameters, etc), but on average they live for 2 – 3 years Temperament / Behavior : This is a good tropical fish for the beginner. A common question on the forum is “are platies aggressive”.
Are platy fish smart?
Yes, platy fish are smart In fact, platy fish are considered to be smarter than many other fish.
Can 2 male platys live together?
I have kept all male platies together (as part of a peaceful community tank) and they do quite well The only times I’ve seen aggression from them was when there was a female with them. As others have said, individual fish do have individual personalities. There is always that chance.
Do platies eat their babies?
Adult platies don’t have any protective instinct toward fry; in fact, they may eat them This is why it’s essential to remove the fry from the aquarium as soon as possible. To accomplish this, you must monitor the aquarium no less than every two hours to identify whether any fry have been born.
How can you tell if a fish is pregnant?
As your female fish becomes pregnant, she will grow a bulge at the back of her abdomen This typically appears over the course of 20-40 days. Does your fish have a red or black spot? Sometimes, when a female fish is pregnant, she will develop a “gravid spot” on the abdomen.
Are platys pregnant?
How can you tell a platy is pregnant? The best ways to determine whether your female platy is pregnant are physical changes. First, the female’s abdomen will become rounded with her developing young Her overall color may darken, and you may see an enlargement and darkening of her gravid spot.
Can I feed my fish once a week?
For the most part, feeding your fish once or twice a day is sufficient Some hobbyists even fast their fish one or two days a week to allow them to clear their digestive systems. Larger, more sedentary fish can go longer between meals than smaller, more active fish.
What is the best starter fish?
- Rasboras. There are many types of rasboras, but our favorite ones are the harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) and lambchop rasbora (Trigonostigma espei)
- Common Goldfish
- Tetras
- Corydoras
- Platies
- Betta Fish
- Barbs
- Bolivian Cichlids.
Is platy a school fish?
Platies are schooling fish , and they generally thrive in small groups of about five fish. They will do well in most community tanks, and a group will also make a beautiful single-species tank.
Is it OK to turn off aquarium light at night?
Aquarium fish do not need light and it is best that you turn it off during the night Leaving the light on can cause stress to fish as they need a period of darkness to sleep. Too much light will cause algae to rapidly grow and make your tank look dirty. So the short answer is no, do not leave your lights on.
How do you play with fish?
To stimulate your fish’s brain, give it toys like floating rocks and caves for it to hide in You can even train your fish to do tricks like swim through a hoop or jump out of the water with a little practice. Keeping your fish healthy and active will help you enjoy your fish for longer.
Do fish Recognise their owners?
Surprisingly, science has found that fish are capable of recognizing their owner’s face , even if the owner is standing by the tank with other people. Fish can develop an association between something they like, being fed, with the person who feeds them.
Do platys need Airstone?
oxygen levels
in normal tank water are too low to sustain platies, so an
air pump
is needed to further oxygenate the water. Air pumps create surface agitation that introduces breathable oxygen into the tank. You can also use an airstone or a bubbler to increase the oxygen levels in the tank.
Can I keep platys in cold water?
Though typically found in Freshwater aquariums, Platy fish can also thrive in coldwater tanks, as long as the water parameters are kept consistent Plenty of water changes and a consistent temperature will keep your Platy fish happy.
How long can a platy fish live without oxygen?
Fish can survive about two days without an air pump in completely still water. However, with the right kind of filter producing lots of surface water movement, an air stone may not be required at all.
How many babies do platy fish have?
You generally have between 24 and 30 days to make accommodations for your new fry once the mother shows signs of pregnancy. Once the mother gives birth, you can expect to have 20-40 new fry on average Sometimes, this number can climb as high as 80.
Can platy and guppy mate?
Guppies and platies are two different families. Guppies are from the Poeciliidae family, while platies are from the Xiphophorus. This means, guppies and platies can’t crossbreed , so no matter how hard you would like to have a guppy platy hybrid, it is impossible.
Do platys lay eggs?
Platy fish are livebearers, which means that they give birth to live young rather than dropping eggs into the water like many other fish These young are capable of swimming and fending for themselves from the moment they are born.
How many hours should an aquarium light be on?
How long should I keep my aquarium lights on? To provide animals and plants the lighting they need, 10 to 12 hours a day is sufficient. Installing a timer or purchasing a unit with integrated timing can make lighting easier––just set it and forget it. Keep in mind algae loves light as well.
Are female platys colorful?
Male and female platies tend to share patterns; that is, the same colors are found in the same locations on both sexes The males of some varieties, such as red platies frequently have more intensity to their body and fin color than do females of the same variety.
How long can platies go without food?
Platy fish, contrary to popular belief, may survive for up to two weeks without food if they are otherwise healthy and well-fed. There isn’t to worry about if you’re only going away for a few days, especially when it comes to feeding.
What temperature do platy fish like?
Temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for platys. Temperature and water fluctuations are tolerated by them, although rapid changes in water parameters should be taken into consideration. Changes like these can be stressful, therefore they should be avoided.
Do platy fish eat bloodworms?
Mollies and Platys regularly eat bloodworms as a part of their diet Combine the diet of mollies with a mixture of brine shrimp and flakes, giving them bloodworms once a week. Add a few other potential treats, like wafers, and give the fish only one of the treats every other day.
Can platy fish eat peas?
Platys like veggies, feeding them peas a couple times a week will do them much good.
Sources
https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/platy-care-guide