Platy
Xiphophorus maculatus
What you need to keep a Platy
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pH
7–8.2
Temperature
21–27 °C
Where to buy
Compare prices from SA aquarium shops listing Platy.
What Platy costs in South Africa
12 price points from 7 shops over 90 days
R15
cheapest of 8 shops today
SA median R35 across 7 shops over the last 90 days.
8 shops
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Overview
What to know before you buy.
Platies are robust, colorful, and peaceful livebearers that come in a huge variety of colors and patterns. They are very easy to care for and are an excellent choice for anyone new to the hobby. Their curious and active nature makes them a fun addition to any community aquarium.
Key traits
Care guide
Keeping Platy healthy in a South African setup.
Tank setup
Size the aquarium to Platy's adult size and activity level. Provide hiding spots and stable, well-filtered water; it suits a community setup.
Water parameters
Keep pH 7–8.2 and 21–27°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers; acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Feeding
Omnivore. Feed small amounts it clears in a couple of minutes, and vary the diet.
Behaviour
Peaceful. Keep it in a group for natural behaviour.
Tankmates
Choose tankmates of similar size and temperament with the same water needs. Avoid fin-nippers and anything large enough to eat it.
Breeding
Breeding success with Platy depends on the line and water chemistry; ask your shop about proven pairs.
Settling this fish in?
Condition the tap water, seed the filter, test through the first weeks — most early losses trace back to one of those.
10% off your first order, no code, at checkout
Availability confirmed with the distributor before dispatch · free delivery over r750
Community photos
From hobbyists across SA.
Market intelligence
Price trends and buyer demand — data only FishHub tracks.
Price history — last 90 days
SA price range this month: R20–40 · Average: R32
This data is unique to FishHub
Demand by province
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