Animal Profiles
Fish

Platy

Xiphophorus maculatus

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Platies are small freshwater aquarium fishes with many cultivated colours. This account describes the southern platyfish, a Central American species that eats both small animals and plant material.

Southern platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus), the representative described here.

Southern platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus), the representative described here.

Marrabbio2 · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Xiphophorus maculatus is the representative used here. Its native range extends from Mexico towards Belize. Slow waters with vegetation, including creeks, channels and swamps, provide habitat.
Habitat
Rivers and lakes, Wetlands
Diet
Omnivore
Food
Worms, small crustaceans, insects and plants supply food.

Classification

Common name
Platy
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Xiphophorus maculatus
Taxon rank
species
Order
Cyprinodontiformes
Family
Poeciliidae
Genus
Xiphophorus

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It lacks a sword-like tail extension.
  • It eats plants and small animals.
  • It is used in genetic research.

Habitat and range

Xiphophorus maculatus is the representative used here. Its native range extends from Mexico towards Belize. Slow waters with vegetation, including creeks, channels and swamps, provide habitat.

Appearance and adaptations

The compact body lacks the long sword-like tail extension of male swordtails. Cultivated aquarium strains have many colour patterns, which should not be treated as the appearance of every wild fish.

Diet and behaviour

Worms, small crustaceans, insects and plants supply food. The species is widely bred in aquariums and used in genetic studies. Introduced populations must be distinguished from its native Central American distribution.

Sources

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