Can you mix platy species?

What is the difference between a Molly and a platy?

Both Platy and Molly fish belong to the same family of livebearers. However, platies tend to have bodies that are shorter and rounder in structure as compared to mollies that are longer and a tad bit sleeker in appearance. Mollies also tend to have a mouth that is facing upwards, as compared to the front-facing mouths of platies.

What is the most common fin variation in platys?

There are two common fin variations in platys—the hifin is the most frequently seen trait. In hifins, the dorsal fin is elongated, sometimes quite significantly. As with other traits, the hifin variation can be found in fish with a variety of different color patterns.

Are platies good for aquariums?

Platies are great fish to own and are suitable for almost any type of aquarium. They do well in species-only tanks and community tanks, both large and small. New aquarists can get their hands wet (pun intended!) with this simple fish, while experienced aquarists can continue to enjoy its simple beauty.

What is a parrot platy fish?

Parrot Platy Fish are an interesting-looking hybrid fish that is instantly recognizable because of the V-shaped pattern on their tail, with two black stripes edging the margins the tail. They’re available in gold, yellow, red and other color varieties.

What are the different colors of platy fish?

You might also hear red Platies referred to as velvet red, brick red, coral red, or blood red, but they’re all essentially the same thing. 6. Sunburst Sunburst fish are actually a golden yellow color. They’re also called gold, golden, sunset, or marigold. The diversity of Platy fish stretches beyond mere coloration.

What is a platy fish anal fin?

The anal fin is the tail fin underside the belly of your Platy fish. So, pointed anal fin means that it’s male platy whereas, female Platy fish have a wide and fan-shaped anal fin. Moreover, an adult female Platy fish is larger and measures 2-3 inches while the male is just around 1.5 inches long.

How many female platy do you have per tank?

whenever i added new platy colors to my tank i always added in 3s 2 females per 1 male. My first pair I only had the two, when I separated the female b/c she was prego, the male got all lonely and swam around looking for her at the end of the tank nearest her tank.

Are platy fish shoaling or schooling?

Most will spend their time swimming around the tank and getting some exercise in. Author Note: Platy fish are not a shoaling or schooling species, but you may see them group up throughout the day to explore together. The ideal tank mates for the platy are other peaceful freshwater fish.

Do platy fish need a big aquarium?

Thanks to their small footprint, platies don’t need a massive aquarium to stay happy. A small group will do just fine in an aquarium that holds as little as 10 gallons of water! Author Note: Of course, larger tanks are never a bad idea. Platy fish are active creatures that enjoy exploring their environment.

What is the best tank mate for a platy?

The ideal tank mates for the platy are other peaceful freshwater fish. The most obvious choice is other platies. While they aren’t a shoaling species, platies do like to be around their own kind.

How many platy fish are there?

Technically speaking, there are two platy fish species. These are the Southern platy and the variable platy. However, these two species crossbreed to create the color variations we see today. They’re interbred so much that it’s difficult to distinguish the two! For this reason, most people simply refer to them as “platies.”

What is a Mickey Mouse platy fish?

Mickey Mouse Platy Fish The Mickey Mouse Platy Fish is available in red and even blue colors and got its name because of the black pattern at the base of its tail, which features a larger black dot with two smaller dots that are the spitting image of the beloved Disney character Mickey Mouse.

How big do swordtail platy fish get?

The swordtail platy is less commonly available in the trade. Even so, all three vary slightly in shape, color, and fin size, they have the same general characteristics and care requirements. Platy fish grow to approximately 3 inches or 7,6 cm; males will be slightly smaller than females.

How big do platy lizards get?

Although there’s no clear size difference between both genders of platies, females are typically bigger than males. A fully grown female platy can be as big as 2.5 inches, while a male can only grow up to 1.5 inches.

What is schooling and shoaling behavior?

In the wild or in an aquarium, schooling and shoaling behavior have many health benefits. When a fish begins to depict eating behavior, this triggers other fish around it to start searching for food. Sometimes, you’ll notice that when food is added to the aquarium, some fish aren’t able to find the food as fast as others.

How many fry can a platy have at once?

Platies can have from 20–50 fry (baby fish) at once, as often as once a month. They may also eat their own young. The variatus platy ( Xiphophorus variatus) grows to a maximum overall length of 7.0 cm (2.8 in). In the wild they are olive in color with black marbling or spots on the side of the caudal peduncle.

What are the different types of parrot platies?

Parrot Platies feature a distinct pattern on their tails with two black stripes on the edges that form a V. You’ll find these in several colors; most commonly gold, yellow, and red. 13. Pineapple Pineapple Platies are a new and pretty rare variation.

What is schooling behavior in fish?

schooling behaviour, Activity characteristic of clupeiform fish ( herrings, anchovies, and allies) in which many fish swim together, appearing to act as a single organism. A school of herring may contain many millions of individuals of roughly similar size. Fishes above or below the size limit break away and form schools among themselves.

How often do platies have Fry?

My blue/green platies have fry every 4-5 weeks. They can have a couple dozen at a time. Be prepared to find homes or have enough tanks to house them all. I let my platies drop their fry in my livebearer tank.

What is shoaling in fish?

Shoaling is a loose grouping of fish who swim and forage individually while keeping close to their group. Both “a school of fish” and “a shoal of fish” can be used depending on which is encountered. Schooling and shoaling are two different fish behaviors.

What drives fish to form groups when shoaling?

Shoaling behaviour, the tendency of fish to form groups, is shown to be affected by factors such as resource availability, presence of predators and conspecifics.

What is the difference between shoaling and schooling in fish?

Both terms describe fish behavior, but they are technically two different things. Fish that socialize or hang out in loose groups in the same place are said to be shoaling. They can be different species or all the same. Schooling is when they all move together in the same direction, at the same speed, at the same time.

How many babies can a platy have on her first birth?

my platy, rain, its her first time ever pregnant,she is only small. how many babies do they usually have on their first birth? xxx Click to expand… If the mother is still very small, she can have only a few babies the first time, like 2-5 the most. It just depends on the fish. Click to expand…

What is the reproductive age of a platy fish?

There are a few things to know about reproductive age, determining the gender of platy fish, and stocking the aquarium with the right number of male and female platies. Platies are ready to breed at 5-6 months of age. Female platy fish are larger than male platies and they have a rounded abdomen.

What is the difference between a shoal and a fish school?

Just because a fish is swimming in a group, doesn’t mean that it’s following the crowd. Some fish shoal and some fish school. Here’s the difference: A shoal of fish swims together, but they are not swimming in unison or in any coordinated formation.