Variatus platy
Xiphophorus variatus
A slightly larger, cooler-water relative of the platy; a peaceful livebearer for a community tank with hard water.
Key facts
- Body length
- 2.8 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 17 gallons
- Group
- 3+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Flakes, micro pellets, spirulina, frozen daphnia
- Origin
- Atlantic slope of Mexico
- Hardier than61%
- Bigger than42%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Variatus platy tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blood parrot cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- AngelfishAngelfish eats small fish: Variable platyfish.Risky
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Variable platyfish.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Variable platyfish.Risky
- DemasoniDemasoni attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Variable platyfish.Risky
- Firemouth cichlidFiremouth cichlid can eat young or small Variable platyfish; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- Golden mbunaGolden mbuna attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Variable platyfish.Risky
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Variable platyfish: prey body depth 1.2 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat Variable platyfish: prey body depth 1.2 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Variable platyfish: prey body depth 1.2 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- Jewel cichlidJewel cichlid can eat Variable platyfish: prey body depth 1.2 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- OscarOscar can eat Variable platyfish: prey body depth 1.2 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.Avoid
- SeverumSeverum can eat Variable platyfish: prey body depth 1.2 cm ≤ mouth 5.0 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for variatus platies: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 7 cm (TL)
- Adult mass
- 4.72 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 2.92 BU
- Min. water
- 54 L net
- Min. footprint
- 60 × 30 cm per group
- Group
- 3+ (best 6)
- Swims in
- middle, top
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore plant
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- —
Sources: Seriously Fish: Xiphophorus variatus · FishBase: Xiphophorus variatus
Care notes
Variatus platies come from small, weedy streams, ponds and canals on Mexico's Atlantic slope and grow to about 3 inches. They tolerate cooler water than most tropical livebearers.
Keep several females per male in a 15-gallon tank or larger with fairly hard water. Adults usually do not eat their fry, and they crossbreed with platies and swordtails.
Questions
What size tank does a variatus platy need?
At least 17 gallons (54 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 2.8 inches without fins.
How many variatus platies should be kept together?
Keep at least 3, ideally 6 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do variatus platies need?
68–79 °F, pH 7–8.2 and 14–30 dGH. Variatus platies come from Atlantic slope of Mexico.
How long do variatus platies live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with variatus platies?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Otocinclus. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.