The southern platyfish grows to a maximum overall length of 6.0 cm (2.4 in). Sexual dimorphism is slight, the male's caudal fin being more pointed. Wild varieties are drab in coloration, lacking the distinctive dark lateral line common to many Xiphophorus species.
X. maculatus prefers slow-moving waters of canals, ditches, and warm springs. Omnivorous, its diet includes both plants and small crustaceans, insects, and worms.
Breeders have developed a multitude of color varieties which are common aquarium fish for hobbyists.
The southern platyfish is commonly known simply as the platy (pl. platys), from the fish's original generic name, Platypoecilus.
In the aquarium
Platys are easy to keep and well suited to a community aquarium. They prefer water with a 7.0–8.0 pH, a water hardness of 9.0–19.0 dGH, and a temperature range of 18–25°C (64–77°F).
In captivity, they reach maturity in 3–4 months and breed readily, the females giving birth to about 40–50 young a time.
References
"Xiphophorus maculatus (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?genusname=Xiphophorus&speciesname=maculatus)". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. October 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.
"Xiphophorus maculatus" (TSN 165922) (http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=165922). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. N.p.: Integrated Taxonomic Information System, 2004. Accessed on 9 December2004.
The Platy or Moonfish, Xiphophorous maculatus and the Variegated Platy or Variatus Platy, Xiphophorous variatus are a short stocky fish lacking the extended tail fin or "sword" of their close relative, the Swordtail Xiphophorous helleri.
Although nowadays the platies have been interbred with themselves and with swordtails to the point where it is hard to separate species anymore, there were originally two common species available to the hobbyist: the Platy or Moonfish Xiphophorous maculatus, and the the slimmer and more elongated Variegated Platy or Variatus Platy Xiphophorous variatus.
The male platies won't show their colors until they are mature and they will show best if the aquarium is kept at the cooler end of their temperature range.
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