|
|
|
Livebearers
/ Poeciliidae / Platy
Platy, Moonfish
Xiphophorus maculatus | Pictures
Synonyms: Platypoecilus
maculatus,
P. nigra, P. pruba,
P. pulchra
Physical description: A laterally compressed fish with and upturned mouth.
The body may be elongated and the caudal
fin in generally fan-shaped.
The original form had a dark brown-olive back with bluish flanks.
The flanks are often marked with two
to five transverse stripes.
The belly is whitish.
Most Platies now available are selectively produced.
Size/Length: Males to 1.5" (4 cm), females to 2.3" (6 cm)
Similar species: Other Xiphophorus
species
Habitat: Inhabits rivers on the Atlantic slope of Central America; Mexico, Belize, Guatemala,
Honduras
S: middle
Aquarium: A tank measuring 20" (51 cm) with a capacity of 10 gallons (38 L) is suggested.
Use
well-planted areas and maybe a cover of floating plants to serve as refuge for fry.
Water chemistry: pH 7-8.3 (7.4), 10-28 dH (18); 68-79°F (20-26°C)
Social behavior: A peaceful community fish.
Adults may consume fry, although not as often as other
Xiphophorus
species.
Suggested companions: Poecilia
, Colisa
, Corydoras
, tetras which can tolerate harder, more alkaline water, Loricarids.
FOOD: Flakes; small pellets; occasionally algae; live; insects, insect larvae, worms, brine
shrimp
SEX: Males are smaller with a gonopodium.
Breeding techniques: This species is sexually mature at four months.
As many as 80 fry are born after a gestation
period of four to six weeks.
The fry should be protected from the adults.
Breeding potential: 2.
An easily bred species.
Remarks: There are numerous cultivated varieties available: Wag tail, red, Moon, blue, Coral,
gold, Tuxedo, Mirror, Mickey Mouse, Comet, and black.
X. maculatus
had been crossed with
X. helleri.
Difficulty of care: 2.
A hardy fish suitable for a beginner.
If this fish dies, first test the pH to be sure
that it is not below 7.0.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
|
|
|
