{"product_id":"assorted-platy-fish-xiphophorus-maculatus-3cm-pack-of-6","title":"Assorted Platy Fish Xiphophorus Maculatus 3cm","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Platy is a small, colourful livebearer bred in a huge range of colours and patterns from a plain wild fish, supplied here as a mixed selection. Stocky, active and endlessly cheerful, it spends the day cruising the middle of the tank. Native to the Atlantic slope of Mexico and Central America, it is one of the best choices for beginners and community tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eSold as:\u003c\/em\u003e Pack of 6 (minimum order quantity)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 5–6 cm (2–2.5 in); females larger than males\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 3–4 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras; Atlantic coastal plain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Warm, slow, weedy streams, ditches and ponds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Omnivorous, with a strong appetite for algae\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Quality flake, micro pellets, spirulina, daphnia, brine shrimp, blanched vegetables\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Small feeds once or twice daily; include vegetable matter regularly; unfussy eater\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Tetras, rasboras, corydoras, mollies, swordtails, guppies, small peaceful gouramis, snails\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Large predators, fin-nippers, aggressive cichlids, cold-water fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Very peaceful; ideal community fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e None; males chase each other and females harmlessly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Beginner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Constant fry production; some commercially bred stock less hardy than wild fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, hard and alkaline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 20–26°C (68–79°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 7.0–8.2\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 10–30 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow to moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 60 litres for a group of six; larger is better\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlaties breed constantly, so keep two or three females per male or expect broods of up to 80 fry every four to six weeks; adults eat some fry but many survive in dense plants. Males are identified by the rod-like gonopodium, females by a fan-shaped anal fin. They dislike soft, acidic water and do best in hard, well-planted tanks with open swimming room. Hardy, friendly and ideal for a first aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64680679571833,"sku":"STF-PLATY-ASS","price":3.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-PLATY-ASS.png?v=1790097160","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquatics.myshopify.com\/products\/assorted-platy-fish-xiphophorus-maculatus-3cm-pack-of-6","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}