Family: Poeciliidae
Variable Platyfish — a Poeciliidae from Central and North America and Mexico, easy-going community fish with lively breeding. Reaches 5.2–7.7 cm; loose colonies; heavy planting shelters the fry. 15–25 °C.
Xiphophorus variatus, a member of the family Poeciliidae, comes from Central and North America and Mexico, where it inhabits warm freshwater streams and lakes. Easy-going community fish with lively breeding and unfussy — quality flakes, some greens, occasional treats, it grows to 5.2–7.7 cm and adapts well to a properly set-up aquarium in the 15–25 °C range. Other Xiphophorus species in our database include Xiphophorus hellerii, Xiphophorus maculatus.
Intermediate difficulty. Easy-going community fish with lively breeding; loose colonies; heavy planting shelters the fry.
Aim for 15–25 °C. Stable temperature matching the species origin; 15–25 °C recorded range.
Expect 5.2–7.7 cm as an adult, living bottom-dwelling. A 71 L tank or larger gives it room.
Unfussy — quality flakes, some greens, occasional treats. It forages naturally over fine sand and gravel, so let some food reach the bottom.
Yes, with care. Easy-going community fish with lively breeding — pair it with Other peaceful community fish — Ignore the endless fry and skip Fin-nippers — Constant harassment exhausts females.
Its home waters are Central and North America and Mexico — warm freshwater streams and lakes, with still to gentle current.
Not a noted jumper — a standard cover still keeps dust and spray in.
In the aquarium: livebearer — females deliver 20–100 fry every few weeks. Subtle external differences.