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Marigold Platy
Xiphophorus maculatus
📍 Aquarium-developed colour morph; wild platies originate from Central America (Mexico and Guatemala), but the Marigold variety is a tank-bred selective colour variant.
The Marigold Platy displays a striking golden-yellow to bright orange body coloration, often with subtle darker markings or gradations that enhance its vibrant appearance. Like all platies, this livebearer is peaceful, active, and social, making it an excellent choice for community tanks.
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Care Guide
Diet
Marigold Platies are omnivorous and thrive on a varied diet of high-quality flake food, micro pellets, and small frozen foods such as daphnia or brine shrimp. Supplement regularly with blanched vegetables like spinach or zucchini to support colour vibrancy and overall health.
Behavior
Marigold Platies are peaceful, active mid-water swimmers that spend much of their time exploring and foraging. They are highly social and should be kept in small groups of at least 5 individuals, with a female-to-male ratio of 2:1 or higher to reduce male harassment and aggression.
Breeding
Platies are prolific livebearers that give birth to fully formed, free-swimming fry every 4-6 weeks. Females can store sperm and produce multiple broods without a male present. Provide dense plants or a breeder box to protect fry from predation; they readily hybridize with other platy and swordtail colour morphs.
Tank Mates
Same species, compatible colour morph; can interbreed
Small, peaceful schooling fish; no aggression toward platies
Peaceful dwarf variety; avoid larger gourami species
Large enough to avoid predation; excellent algae control
Peaceful algae eater; does not reproduce in freshwater
Common Diseases
Ich (White Spot Disease)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, rubbing against objects, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30 C (82-86 F), increase aeration, perform daily 25% water changes, use ich medication if symptoms persist; treat for 7-10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or disintegrating fins, white or grey edges on fins, fin loss
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, reduce stocking density, remove sharp decorations, use broad-spectrum antibiotic or antifungal medication if severe
Fungal Infection
White or grey fuzzy growth on body or fins, lethargy, loss of appetite
Improve water quality and reduce stress, increase aeration, perform daily water changes, use antifungal medication; isolate severely affected fish if possible
Shimmies (Mineral Deficiency/Poor Water Quality)
Rapid side-to-side body movement, loss of colour vibrancy, lethargy, poor appetite
Perform large water changes, ensure adequate mineral content (use aquarium salt at 1 teaspoon per 5 gallons), improve filtration, maintain stable water parameters
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Quick Facts
- diet
- omnivore; flake food, micro pellets, blanched vegetables, occasional live/frozen foods
- lifespan
- 3-4 years
- max size
- 6 cm (2.4 in)
- tank size
- 10 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 7.0-7.8
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 10-25 dGH
- temperature
- 72–79°F (22–26°C)