The Platy is prized among aquarists because they are small, hardy, active, peaceful and beautiful. They make great fish for both beginning and experience aquarists alike. They also make great feeder fish, due to their ease of breeding and low cost.

The Platy is a great fish for communities. It can survive in most conditions and will not bother other fish. If kept in groups, Platys will form schools. They are very active, however and could agitate less active fish, such as Angel Fish. Platys can be kept in small tanks, but prefer large spaces, with plenty of room to swim. Their tank should be moderately decorated with plants and rocks. The Platy will not bother live plants.

At maturity, the Platy will reach a size of two to three inches. They have stocky, fat, stubby bodies with a rounded caudal fin. Their bodies are usually a mixture of red, yellow, gold, black and blue. Younger Platys are usually brighter.

Platys are found in the Rio Papaloapan, in southern Mexico.

Platys are not a picky fish. Most of their time is spent either breeding or looking for food. They will eat just about anything, but prefer foods such as spinach, zucchini, peas, lettuce, fish, flood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. They will eat flake and freeze dried foods as well. Their water should kept at tropical temperatures between 70 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit and the pH level of the water should be slightly alkaline, between seven and eight. The water should be soft and a teaspoon of Epsom salts can be added to every five gallons of water they inhabit.

The Platy is very easy to breed. It is said, to get them to breed, just add water. Platys are livebearers. The male will have a short gonopodium where the anal fin should be. Females will have a triangular anal fin. Platys will give birth to 20 to 40 fry when spawning. It is reported that one should keep plenty of plants for babies to hide in or the parents may eat them.