{"product_id":"blue-spotted-redtail-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus","title":"Blue Spotted Redtail Platy - Xiphophorus maculatus","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"202\" data-end=\"252\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlue Spotted Redtail Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"202\" data-end=\"252\"\u003eThe Blue Spotted Redtail Platy, Xiphophorus maculatus, is a colourful captive-bred livebearer selected for a blue-toned or spotted body pattern with a contrasting red tail. Hardy, active and peaceful, it is an excellent choice for mature community aquariums, especially those with moderately hard to hard water. Like other platies, this strain is easy to feed, lively in groups and capable of breeding readily if males and females are kept together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"724\" data-end=\"828\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"736\" data-end=\"739\"\u003eBlue Spotted Redtail Platy, Blue Spotted Platy, Redtail Platy, Southern Platyfish, Platy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"830\" data-end=\"917\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"854\" data-end=\"857\"\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003cbr data-start=\"878\" data-end=\"881\"\u003eCaptive-bred ornamental colour form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"919\" data-end=\"1026\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"932\" data-end=\"935\"\u003eMales usually around 4–5 cm. Females may reach around 5–6 cm and are usually fuller-bodied.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1028\" data-end=\"1139\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1039\" data-end=\"1042\"\u003eFreshwater; can tolerate slightly brackish conditions, but normally kept in freshwater aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1141\" data-end=\"1472\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1166\" data-end=\"1169\"\u003eThe Blue Spotted Redtail form is captive-bred and does not occur as a wild population. Wild Xiphophorus maculatus is native to North and Central America, from Mexico to northern Belize, where it occurs in warm springs, canals, ditches, creeks, swamps and slow-moving weedy waters with vegetated margins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1474\" data-end=\"1718\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1491\" data-end=\"1494\"\u003eTemperature: 22–26°C\u003cbr data-start=\"1514\" data-end=\"1517\"\u003epH Range: 7.0–8.2\u003cbr data-start=\"1534\" data-end=\"1537\"\u003eHardness or Salinity: Moderately hard to hard freshwater preferred; avoid very soft, acidic water. Stable mineral content and regular maintenance are important for long-term health.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1720\" data-end=\"2001\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1732\" data-end=\"1735\"\u003ePeaceful, active and social. Blue Spotted Redtail Platies are ideal community fish for aquariums with other peaceful species that enjoy similar hard-water conditions. Males may chase females, so mixed groups are best kept with more females than males where possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2003\" data-end=\"2329\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2008\" data-end=\"2011\"\u003eOmnivorous. Offer quality tropical flakes, small pellets, livebearer granules, spirulina flakes, algae-based foods, frozen daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, bloodworm and occasional vegetable foods such as blanched courgette, spinach or peas. A varied diet with plant matter helps support digestion, colour and condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2331\" data-end=\"2554\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2349\" data-end=\"2352\"\u003eA minimum of 60 litres is recommended for a small group, with 90 litres or more preferred for mixed-sex groups or community aquariums. Larger aquariums are easier to keep stable and help reduce chasing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2556\" data-end=\"2943\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Activity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2581\" data-end=\"2584\"\u003eAn active upper-to-midwater livebearer that spends much of its time swimming in open areas, grazing plants and decor, and interacting with its group. Females give birth to live, free-swimming fry rather than laying eggs, and breeding can be frequent if both sexes are present. Dense planting, mosses and floating cover help fry survive in community aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2945\" data-end=\"3335\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAquarium Category:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2963\" data-end=\"2966\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eCommunity Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2980\" data-end=\"2983\"\u003eSuitable with peaceful hard-water community fish such as guppies, mollies, swordtails, peaceful rainbowfish, small barbs, hardy tetras that tolerate alkaline water, bristlenose plecos, snails and calm Corydoras-type catfish kept in suitable conditions. Avoid aggressive cichlids, large predators, persistent fin-nippers and very soft-water specialists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3337\" data-end=\"3731\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3372\" data-end=\"3375\"\u003eKeep in a mature, heated and well-filtered aquarium with stable hardness, regular water changes and gentle to moderate flow. Provide plants, open swimming space and some cover for females and fry. If keeping males and females together, expect regular breeding and plan stocking accordingly. Avoid overcrowding, soft acidic water and unstable new aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3733\" data-end=\"3769\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3746\" data-end=\"3749\"\u003eBeginner fishkeepers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3771\" data-end=\"3849\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3784\" data-end=\"3787\"\u003eCommon to occasional in trade \/ Captive-bred ornamental strain\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3851\" data-end=\"4111\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aqua Group","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":46413301416109,"sku":"AG-102986","price":1.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":46413301448877,"sku":"AG-102987","price":2.45,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":46413301481645,"sku":"AG-102988","price":2.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/BlueSpottedRedtailPlaty-Xiphophorusmaculatus.jpg?v=1782334167","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/blue-spotted-redtail-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}