The Guppy Site

Origionally written by Butch

Variatus Platy (Xiphophorus variatus)



Third common Xiphophorus species in the aquarium trade and are much colorful than Southern platy and the swordtail. The variatus platy are subtropical species which they like cooler water but not freezing point. The variatus are thought to be hybrids between the Southern platy and the swordtails but now separated species. The females are dull and the males are much bright. The sunset platy and sunset swordtails are mostly like variatus hybrids as the variatus are known as sunset platy. The variatus are more slender than southern platy but not slender as swordtail. More dorsal rays than southern platy. Some males are known to carry gravid spot which they are not pregnant. Variatus are often used as feeder platies.

Temp: 68 - 77*F
Size: Males 2 3/4 inch long, females 3 inch long.
Fry size: 40 fry is average.
Diet: Plant matters but will take prepared foods.
Tank size: 30gal
p.h: 6.8 - 9.5

Other names: Variable platy, sunset platy, parrot platy and variable platy, feeder variatus, feeder platy.

All Xiphophorus species are already hybrids in the LFS as some platies have short swords and some swordtails' swords are colorless or shorter than wild types. They are also less proflic than purebred.