No photo yet
Sign in to submit the first photo
Red Wagtail Platy
Xiphophorus maculatus
📍 Aquarium-developed colour morph; wild platies originate from Central America (Mexico and Guatemala), but this red and black variety has been selectively bred in the aquarium hobby.
The Red Wagtail Platy is a striking livebearer featuring a bright red or orange-red body with a distinctive black or dark-patterned tail fin, creating a bold two-tone appearance. Platies are peaceful, active community fish that thrive in groups and are excellent for beginners due to their hardiness and ease of care.
Community Photos
0 photosPhotos are added when members log a tank with this species and upload a photo in their tank journal. Add your own tank to contribute.
No photos yet — add a tank with Red Wagtail Platy to be the first!
Sign in to vote.
Care Guide
Diet
Red Wagtail Platies are omnivorous and should be fed a varied diet of high-quality flake food, micro pellets, and blanched vegetables such as spinach or zucchini. Supplement with occasional live or frozen foods like brine shrimp or daphnia 2–3 times per week. Feed small amounts 2–3 times daily, only what they can consume in 2–3 minutes.
Behavior
Red Wagtail Platies are peaceful, active mid-water swimmers that do best in small groups or schools of at least 5 fish. They are social and interactive, often following each other around the tank. Keep more females than males (at least 2–3 females per male) to reduce harassment and aggression during breeding.
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 breeding box to protect fry from predation by adults. They hybridize readily with other platy and swordtail morphs, so separate colours if pure lines are desired.
Tank Mates
Same species, peaceful, compatible breeding dynamics
Platy colour morph, peaceful, similar care requirements
Small, peaceful schooling fish; avoid very young fry
Peaceful bottom-dweller, no competition for mid-water space
Peaceful, similar size and temperament; monitor for aggression during breeding
Peaceful algae-eater, small and non-aggressive
Common Diseases
Ich (White Spot Disease)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against objects, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 28–30 C (82–86 F) over 24 hours and maintain for 7–10 days; use aquarium salt (1 tsp per 5 gallons) or commercial ich treatment; perform 25% water changes every 2–3 days
Fin Rot
Frayed, torn, or discoloured fins; fin edges appear ragged or melting; lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes; treat with antibacterial medication (e.g., tetracycline or methylene blue); remove sharp decorations; ensure adequate aeration
Fungal Infection
White or grey fuzzy growth on body or fins, loss of appetite, isolation, fin damage
Treat with antifungal medication (e.g., malachite green or salt baths); improve water quality and reduce stress; remove affected food and debris; maintain temperature at 24–26 C (75–79 F)
Shimmies (Mineral Deficiency/Poor Water Quality)
Rapid side-to-side body movement, trembling, loss of balance, lethargy
Perform large water change (50%); ensure adequate hardness (10–25 dGH) with mineral supplements if needed; improve filtration and aeration; check ammonia and nitrite levels (should be 0 ppm)
Tips from the community 💡
0 tipsReal experiences, care advice, and keeper notes. Finn learns from these too.
Sign in to share your experience.
No community tips yet — be the first to share your knowledge!
Quick Facts
- diet
- omnivore; flake food, micro pellets, blanched vegetables (spinach, zucchini), occasional live or frozen foods (brine shrimp, daphnia)
- lifespan
- 3-5 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)