{{Short description|Defunct genus of freshwater fish}} {{Hatnote|"Platies" redirects here. Not to be confused with Plati (disambiguation) or Platy (disambiguation)}}
'''Platy''' is a common name of freshwater fish in the genus ''Xiphophorus'' that lack a "sword" at the bottom of their tails. This species is a livebearer, similar to other fish of the family Poeciliidae, such as the guppy and molly. Platies are native to the east coast of Central America and southern Mexico.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-Platy.htm | title = Platy, Platies - Xiphophorus maculatus | accessdate = 2010-07-24 | work = FishLore.com}}</ref><ref name='platyaw'>{{cite web | url = http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/livebearers/platy.php | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030831162906/http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/livebearers/platy.php | url-status = dead | archive-date = August 31, 2003 | title = Platies - Moonfish, Variegated Platy, Variatus Platy | accessdate = 2010-07-24 | work = Animal-World}}</ref>thumb|Rainbow Platy (male) The two species, the southern platyfish and the variatus platy, have been interbred to the point where they are difficult to distinguish. Most platies now sold in aquariums are hybrids of both species.<ref name='platyaw' />
==Platy== {{Main|Southern platyfish}}
The platy (''Xiphophorus maculatus'') grows to a maximum overall length of {{cvt|7.0|cm}}. 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. Wild varieties are drab in coloration, lacking the distinctive dark lateral line common to many ''Xiphophorus'' species. Platies can have from 20–50 fry (baby fish) at once, as often as once a month. They may also eat their own young.
==Variable platyfish== {{Main|Variable platyfish}} [[File:Xipho variatus maschio.jpg|thumb|Variatus platy male ]] The variable platyfish (''Xiphophorus variatus'') grows to a maximum overall length of {{cvt|7.0|cm}}. In the wild they are olive in color with black marbling or spots on the side of the caudal peduncle. Large males show blackish blotches on the dorsal fin. Unlike some other members of the genus, ''X. variatus'' has no claw at the tip ray. The fourth pectoral ray shows well-developed serrae (i.e. saw-like notches). They typically have 20 to 24 lateral scales, 10 to 12 dorsal rays and two rows of jaw teeth.<ref name="peterson">{{Cite book| last=Page | first=Lawrence M.; Burr, Brooks M.| title=A Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes| year=1991| publisher=Houghton Mifflin| place=New York| isbn=0-395-91091-9}}</ref>
==Aquarium==
Platys are widely used in tropical aquariums. Several different color variations have been developed, such as red, yellow, orange, blue, rainbow (combination of colors) and white.
Platys will usually live for around 3 years if their aquarium water parameters are satisfactory.<ref name=howtokeepfish>{{cite web | url = https://www.howtokeepfish.com/tropical-fish-species/ | title = Tropical Fish Species|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115154752/https://www.howtokeepfish.com/tropical-fish-species/|archive-date=15 January 2021|website=howtokeepfish.com}}</ref> The platys' ideal water parameters are:
* Water hardness – between 10 and 28 dGH<ref name=howtokeepfish/>
* Temperature – {{cvt|72|to|82|F|C}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.petco.com/content/petco/PetcoStore/en_US/pet-services/resource-center/caresheets/platy.html|title=Platy Care Sheet|website=Petco|publisher=Petco Animal Supplies, Inc.|year=2023|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>
* Water pH – in range from 6.8 to 8.0<ref name=howtokeepfish/>
==See also== *Plati (disambiguation) *Platy (disambiguation)
==References== {{Reflist}}
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Category:Live-bearing fish Category:Ovoviviparous fish Category:Xiphophorus Category:Fish of Guatemala Category:Fish common names