Description

The Platy originates in Central America and is a very popular freswhater tropical fish. It is very easy to take care of and well suited for the freshwater fish beginner. They can be a very active tropical fish if given good water conditions.

Platies comes in many different color varieties including the salt and pepper, the red wag tail and the tuxedo. There is even a variety called the Mickey Mouse platy.

Given their popularity and because they breed easily, scientists research this species frequently and it is interesting to note that the platy fish genome has been decoded which provides the potential for this fish species to be used in cancer research studies.

The female is usually larger than the males of the same age. Females can reach a size of up to 2.5 inches whereas the males usually get to be about 1.5 inches. Breeding them is fairly easy since they are livebearers.