Family: Poeciliidae
Gold Twinbar Platy — a Poeciliidae from Central America, peaceful; males chase persistently, give females cover. Reaches 3–4.4 cm; groups of 6+; more females than males. 18–25 °C.
A Poeciliidae species native to Central America: Xiphophorus maculatus lives bottom-dwelling over warm freshwater streams and lakes. Peaceful; males chase persistently, give females cover. Adults reach 3–4.4 cm. It is one of the aquarium-kept Xiphophorus species we profile, alongside Xiphophorus hellerii, Xiphophorus variatus.
A moderate-level species: peaceful; males chase persistently, give females cover; stable water matters more than fancy equipment.
Set the heater to 18–25 °C and avoid swings. pH 7–8, GH 9–19 dGH suit it.
Full size is 3–4.4 cm. Minimum tank: 25 L, with open swimming space along its bottom-dwelling habits.
Omnivore; flakes plus vegetable matter and small live foods. Feed two small meals a day rather than one large one.
Peaceful; males chase persistently, give females cover; groups of 6+; more females than males. Good company: Corydoras catfish — Share the bottom peacefully. Keep away from Large predators — The fry buffet ends everything.
Comes from Central America: warm freshwater streams and lakes. Expect still to gentle current and moderate oxygen levels.
Low escape risk, but a lid is cheap insurance.
Continuous breeder in warm, hard, alkaline water. Subtle external differences.