Mickey Mouse Marlboro Platy Xiphophorus Maculatus 3cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Mickey Mouse Marlboro Platy is a deep red-orange livebearer named for the three black spots at the tail base that resemble a famous mouse. Bred from wild platies of Mexico and Central America, it is one of the most popular colour forms. Peaceful, hardy and constantly active, it suits beginners and calm community tanks.
- Adult Size: Around 5 cm (2 in); females larger than males
- Lifespan: 3–4 years
Origin
- Native to: Atlantic slope of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras
- Habitat: Warm, slow, vegetated streams, ditches and ponds
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous, with a strong appetite for algae
- Preferred Foods: Quality flake, micro pellets, daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworm, spirulina
- Feeding Habits: Small feeds two or three times daily; include vegetable matter and algae
Tank Mates
- Best with: Tetras, rasboras, mollies, swordtails, Corydoras, small peaceful catfish
- Avoid: Large or aggressive fish, fin nippers, other platies if you dislike hybrid fry
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Very peaceful and active
- Territoriality: Males chase rivals and pester females; keep two or three females per male
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Challenges: Prolific breeding; commercial strains can be less hardy than wild fish; needs hard water
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, hard and alkaline
- Temperature: 20–26°C (68–79°F)
- pH: 7.0–8.2
- Hardness: 10–30 dGH
- Flow: Slow to moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 60 litres for a group of six; plants and open swimming space
Final Notes
Platies are livebearers: females drop broods of up to 80 fry every four to six weeks and will already be pregnant on arrival, so decide early whether you want to raise fry or let the adults thin them out. Sex fish by the male's rod-like gonopodium. They do poorly in soft, acidic water, so check your tap supply. The mouse marking is present in both sexes and shows from a young age.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.