Variatus platy
Xiphophorus variatus
- Tank length
- 20 cm8 in
- Start with
- 3
- Temperature
- 18–25 °C64–77 °F
- pH
- 5.5–7.8
- Adult size
- 5 cm2 in
- Lifespan
- 2–4 yrs
Hardy and tolerant of cooler rooms; breeds freely, so plan for fry or keep a single sex.Hardy and tolerant of cooler rooms; breeds freely, so plan for fry or keep a single sex.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
- Irian Jaya rainbowfish
No shared temperature rangeNo shared temperature range
- Parkinson's rainbowfish
No shared temperature rangeNo shared temperature range
- Rusty cichlid
No shared temperature rangeNo shared temperature range
- African knifefish
African knifefish may eat Variatus platyAfrican knifefish may eat Variatus platy
- African pike
African pike may eat Variatus platyAfrican pike may eat Variatus platy
- Alligator gar
Alligator gar may eat Variatus platyAlligator gar may eat Variatus platy
- Altum angelfish
No shared temperature rangeNo shared temperature range
- Antenna ray
Antenna ray may eat Variatus platyAntenna ray may eat Variatus platy
- Arapaima
Arapaima may eat Variatus platyArapaima may eat Variatus platy
- Asian arowana
Asian arowana may eat Variatus platyAsian arowana may eat Variatus platy
- Asian upside-down catfish
Asian upside down catfish may eat Variatus platyAsian upside down catfish may eat Variatus platy
- Australian pearl arowana
Australian pearl arowana may eat Variatus platyAustralian pearl arowana may eat Variatus platy
Data used by the planner
| Temperature | 18–25 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.5–7.8 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low confidence |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–15 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low confidence |
| Origin | Atlantic slope of northeastern Mexico | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Beginner friendly | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Care level | easy | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Activity | moderate | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Swimming level | middle | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Temperament | peaceful | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Nips fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Long fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Territorial | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lives in groups | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum group | 1 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Diet | omnivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lifespan (years) | 2–4 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Months to adult size | 6 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Safe with plants | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |