Platy Fish Male vs Female Identification, Breeding, Care

Freshwater aquarium hobbyists love Platies, a popular livebearer from Mexico and Central America. Xiphophorus maculatus (southern platyfish) and Xiphophorus variatus are the two most common species found in fish markets. They are capable of interbreeding with one another and with swordtail species, resulting in a wide variety of colour variations.

Some of the most prominent platy colours and styles include Mickey Mouse, the sunburst pattern, red and blue wag, bumblebee, and the green lantern pattern. As long as they are kept in appropriate conditions, healthy platies can survive for up to three to four years.

Platies are relatively affordable, and may be purchased for as little as $2 to $4 per piece at most fish stores, depending on the variety. Make an effort to obtain the healthiest fish possible, those with bright eyes, full bellies, and active behavior. If you see other sick fish in the same tank, it might be better to buy your platies from a different store.

Platy Fish Male vs Female Identification

Platy fishes are the most popular fishes in the world. These fishes are found in lakes, ponds, and other rivers everywhere. The Platy fish are large. The female platy fish are large as compared to the male platyfish. The female platy fish size may vary from 2 inches to 3 inches, and the male platyfish size may vary from 1 inch to 1.5 inches. The Platy fishes have some major differences in males and females. In male platy fishes, their anal fins are called gonopodium. 

The fin is located at the bottom of the pelvic fin and close to the anus. But the anal fins of female platyfish are round, wide, and fan-shaped. Both of their fins are the same. The male fishes can fold their anal fins easily in their body. There are color differences in males and females, but their difference is not prominent. The male platy fishes are aggressive, but the female ones are not aggressive. The reproductive organ of these males and females platy fishes is the anal fins. The female platy fish have a round shape than the male platyfish. 

Platy Fish Breeding

Suppose you want to succeed in the breeding of these fishes. You have to take a pair of male and female platyfish and put them in an aquarium. These fishes can easily adjust in small aquariums. You should check your fish and aquarium daily because sometimes these fishes fight together. When your fish looks like a round shape, the fish is close to laying eggs. 

When the female fish lays eggs, you should separate the parent fishes because sometimes they eat their eggs, which is very dangerous. If you do not separate the parent fishes, they may eat their own 20 eggs to 40 eggs in 4 weeks to 6 weeks. If you want their baby platies, you must separate their parents in another tank. These fishes are happy in the bottom of the planted aquarium because hiding in plants is their favorite thing to do. 

Platy Fish Care 

The care of these fishes is not difficult for anyone, but it is very important. If you do not take care of these fishes, they will die. These platy fishes require a small or large aquarium to live. If you want your fish to live a longer lifespan, make sure their tank's water is clean from any chemical, bacteria, and other types of fungus. 

These platy fishes do not like to live in dirty water. It would be best if you check the water in their tank daily. If these fishes encounter any problem in the tank, they will die soon. The dirty water is very dangerous for these fishes. These fishes require a planted aquarium because they live happily in these types of aquariums. They love to spawn behind the plants. If you do not know anything about their care, you should not buy them or hire someone for better care.