Variable Platy

Looks how to spot one

Scaled livebearer

A small, fairly slim livebearer, more streamlined than the common platy and with a slightly longer dorsal fin. Males are smaller than females and carry a pointed gonopodium, while females have a fan-shaped anal fin.32

Personality what they are like

A calm, sociable fish that gets along with other peaceful species. Males can be persistent in following females, so a group with more females than males keeps things relaxed.3

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Active swimmer through the mid-water; appreciates open swimming room alongside plants.3

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Easy to keep. Regular partial water changes and a varied diet keep it in good shape; expect a steady stream of fry if both sexes are kept together.3

Home where they are happiest

Aquarium from about 60 x 30 cm base (around 54 litres). Water about 20-26 °C in aquaria (wild range given as 15-25 °C), pH 7.0-8.2, hard water (roughly 9-30 dGH). In the wild it lives in warm springs, weedy canals and ditches.312

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Omnivore. Takes flakes, frozen and live foods; wild fish eat small worms, crustaceans, insects and plant matter, so include some vegetable food.132

Company who they like around

Best kept in a group with more females than males, in a peaceful community of similar-sized fish.3

The story where it all began

Seth Meek described the species in 1904 from north-eastern Mexico, placing it in Platypoecilus. It became a common aquarium fish and has also been used in genetic research. Breeders have since produced dozens of colour forms, some involving crosses with the swordtail and common platy.213

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Least Concern (assessed 2018)1

Taxonomy

Family Poeciliidae; described by Meek in 1904 as Platypoecilus variatus2