Platy

The platy is a small freshwater livebearer of the family Poeciliidae, native to eastern Mexico and Central America, though the aquarium form is a heavily bred hybrid available in a huge range of colors and fin types. Wild forms are modestly colored, while domestic strains come in reds, yellows, blues and marbled patterns. It is a peaceful, active and sociable fish that does well in groups and mixes readily with other calm community species. Males are smaller and slimmer than the deeper-bodied females. It is undemanding, tolerating a range of conditions but preferring slightly hard, alkaline water and a planted tank with open swimming space. It is an omnivore that readily accepts flake, pellet, frozen and vegetable foods. As a prolific livebearer it reproduces easily, giving birth to free-swimming young; providing plant cover helps some fry survive. Hardy and colorful, it is an ideal beginner fish.