Sunset Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus var.)

The Sunset Platy is a captive-bred color morph of Xiphophorus maculatus, the Southern Platyfish. Selectively bred for its warm orange to red sunset coloration that intensifies toward the tail, it is one of dozens of attractive platy color forms available in the hobby. Like all platies, it inherits excellent hardiness, adaptability, and an easygoing temperament.

Common Platies are among the most recommended beginner fish for good reason: they are forgiving of water chemistry variations, easy to feed, prolific livebearers, and peaceful with virtually all community fish. The Sunset Platy brings these virtues combined with particularly attractive warm coloration.

As livebearers, they give birth to free-swimming fry that are large enough to eat finely crushed food immediately. Females can store sperm for months and may produce fry long after separation from males, so be prepared for fry even in single-sex setups. Dense planting helps protect fry from being eaten by adults.

Sunset Platies are active, surface-to-mid-water fish that appreciate open swimming space alongside planted areas. They are omnivorous and thrive on a varied diet including vegetable matter. Males can harass females — keeping 2–3 females per male is recommended to distribute breeding pressure.

Water Parameters: Adaptable and hardy: pH 7.0–8.0, temperature 18–26°C, GH 10–25. Tolerates a wide range of conditions including cooler temperatures. Can be kept in unheated tanks in temperate environments. Avoid very soft, acidic water.

Tank Setup: A 60-liter minimum for a small group. Provide dense planting for fry refuge, open swimming space, and some floating plants. Good filtration. A mix of vegetated and open areas works well. No special equipment needed.

Feeding: Omnivores that accept flake food, small pellets, frozen or live foods, and vegetable matter. Include spirulina flakes or blanched vegetables for plant matter. Feed twice daily. Avoid overfeeding.

Tankmates: Excellent community fish compatible with tetras, rasboras, gouramis, barbs, cories, and other livebearers. Avoid very aggressive or fin-nipping species. Keep 2–3 females per male.

Breeding: Prolific livebearers. Females produce 20–80 fry every 4–6 weeks. Dense plants protect fry. Fry accept finely crushed flake food immediately.