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Contents
Overview
The variatus platy, or variable platy, is the slightly slimmer and larger cousin of the common platy. It reaches about 2.4-2.8 in (6-7 cm), and mature males often show a yellowish or bluish body with a yellow or orange tail and a reddish dorsal fin. Farmed lines include hi-fin forms and colors such as sunset and marigold. It comes from northeastern Mexico, from hard-water rivers and creeks that run cooler than the true tropics.
It is peaceful, hardy and very active, and a good alternative to the common platy for keepers with a cool home or anyone planning a moderate-temperature livebearer tank. Suitable for beginners.
Care and tank setup
For a group of 3-5 we recommend 20 gallons (80 L) or more: it is a bit bigger and more active than the common platy and breeds just as fast.
- Temperature: it prefers the cooler end of the tropical range, around 68-75 °F (20-24 °C). Living year-round at 81-82 °F (27-28 °C) shortens its life. Still, use a heater to prevent sudden winter drops.
- Water: moderately hard to hard, neutral to alkaline pH, with regular weekly water changes.
- Ratio: 1 male to 2-3 females, or a single-sex group.
- Decor: hardy plants, open swimming areas and a lid, since it can jump.
- Tank mates: other livebearers, corydoras, rasboras, danios, shrimp and other fish that tolerate hard, slightly cooler water.
It hybridizes with the common platy and with swordtails, so keep them apart if you care about pure lines. Never release it into the wild; it has become invasive in several countries.
Feeding
An omnivore with a strong appetite for plant matter. Use spirulina flakes or pellets as the staple, offer frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia or bloodworms several times a week, and blanched vegetables now and then. It constantly grazes soft algae. Two small meals a day are enough. Pregnant females eat more, so you can increase portions slightly, just never leave food lying on the bottom.
Breeding
A livebearer: every 4-5 weeks the female gives birth to 20-50 fully formed fry, and she can store sperm for several broods. Adults eat some of the fry, so moss and floating plants help a lot. Males take several months to develop their final colors. Fry accept powdered food and baby brine shrimp from day one.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Variatus platy. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Bronze cory Corydoras aeneus 21 gal (80 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Zebra danio Danio rerio 16 gal (60 L) · 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) 
Cherry barb Puntius titteya 16 gal (60 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Tiger barb Puntigrus tetrazona 26 gal (100 L) · 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) 
Nerite snail Neritina natalensis 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Horned nerite snail Clithon corona 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Common goldfish Carassius auratus 79 gal (300 L) · 50–75 °F (10–24 °C) 
Panda cory Corydoras panda 16 gal (60 L) · 68–77 °F (20–25 °C) 
Amano shrimp Caridina multidentata 11 gal (40 L) · 64–82 °F (18–28 °C) 
Cherry shrimp Neocaridina davidi 5 gal (20 L) · 64–81 °F (18–27 °C) 
Guppy Poecilia reticulata 14 gal (54 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Variatus platy, and why.
- Discus: incompatible temperatures, incompatible pH, incompatible water hardness
- Oscar: one may eat the other due to size, incompatible temperaments
- Ram cichlid: incompatible temperatures, incompatible pH
- Cardinal tetra: incompatible pH, incompatible water hardness
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Variatus platy healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Variatus platy need?
At least about 80 liters for a group of at least 3 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Variatus platy need?
Between 18 and 25 °C, with a pH of 7 to 8.2.
What fish can live with the Variatus platy?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Bristlenose pleco, Bronze cory, Zebra danio, Cherry barb and Tiger barb. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Variatus platy be kept with shrimp?
Yes: it usually won’t eat adult shrimp, though some shrimplets may get picked off. A tank with plenty of moss gives the babies cover.
