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Platy
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Xiphophorus maculates. DESIGNATION: Tropical. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: From Vera Cure in Mexico to Belize and Guatemala. SIZE: Cultivated forms are, generally, larger than wild-caught specimens, females measuring around 6 cm (2.5 in) and males 3.5 cm (1.5 in). WATER PREFERENCES: Neutral or slightly alkaline water conditions at around 24°C(75°F) are preferred but some deviation from this will also be tolerated. DIET: Platies will accept a wide range of foods which should include a vegetable component. BREEDING: As in Guppies, Swordtails andother ovoviviparous species. DESCRIPTION: There are quite a few naturally-occurring forms of this species.In particular, the population from the RioPapaloapan in Mexico, is very beautiful indeed with the males possessing an almost black body, speckled dorsal fin, clear caudaland pectorals, wheatish pelvics and brilliant orange/red anal fin (gonopodium). Other varieties found in the wild include the following: Blue: Bluish tinged body with a blue mark oneach 'shoulder'. Comet: Some individuals have black upper and lower edges to the caudal fin. Crescent: Black crescent markings at the base of the caudal fin. Moon: 'Full-moon' black markings on the base of the caudal fin. Nigra: Black lower part of body and blacktipped gonopodium. Pulchra: Black-spotted body with a rust brown caudal peduncle (where tail joinsbody). Rubra: Red bodied males with black spots.
The inherent variability which X. maculates exhibits, added to the ease with which it hybridises with its near relatives,the Swordtail (X. helleri), and the Sunset or Variatus Platy (X. variatus), has led to numerous artificially-produced varieties of the 'Common' Platy. X. maculatus can be relatively easily distinguished from X. variatus, despite any additions of fancy finnage or colours which may have occurred. X. maculates has a rather stumpy body, while X. variatus is more`Swordtail-shaped' (minus the sword, of course). In addition, X. variatus usually carries a series of vertical bars on the sides of the body. These characteristics, obviously,apply only to individuals of pure maculates and variatus parentage. Where they have been hybridised, intermediate characteristics occur and distinguishing criteria become blurred.
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COMMON NAME: Platy.