{"product_id":"red-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus-3cm-pack-of-6","title":"Red Platy Xiphophorus Maculatus 3cm","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Red Platy is the classic solid red form of this popular livebearer, with an even scarlet body and matching fins. It descends from wild platies of Mexico and Central America and keeps their busy, peaceful character. Hardy and undemanding, it suits beginners and any calm community aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 5 cm (2 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 Atlantic slope of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Warm, slow, vegetated 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, daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworm, spirulina\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Small feeds two or three times daily; include vegetable matter and algae\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, mollies, swordtails, Corydoras, small peaceful catfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Large or aggressive fish, fin nippers, other platies if you dislike hybrid fry\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 and active\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Males chase rivals and pester females; keep two or three females per male\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 Prolific breeding; commercial strains can be less hardy than wild fish; needs hard water\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; plants and open swimming space\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlaties 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. Colour intensifies with a varied diet containing spirulina and colour-enhancing flake.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64680680227193,"sku":"STF-PLATY-RED","price":4.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-PLATY-RED.png?v=1790097164","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquatics.myshopify.com\/products\/red-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus-3cm-pack-of-6","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}