• Scientific name: Xiphophorus variatus
• Common name: Variegated platy, Variatus platy
• Group: Livebearers
• Habitat: Central America; Mexico
• Size: Males:4-5,5 cm, females:6,5 cm
• Biotope: Inhabits shallow, slow-moving rivers in Southern Mexico.
• Social behavior: A peaceful fish recommended for a community tank.
• Diet: Flakes, small pellets, algae, live, insects, insect larvae , worms, Brine Shrimp
• Breeding: Easy
• Tank: Minimum 60 litres
• Population: 8 fish for 100 litres
• Decoration: Thick vegetation.
• Temperature: 24-28 °C
• pH: 7-8
• Hardness: 10-20 NK°
• Lifespan: 3-5 years

Description: An elongated fish with a fan-shaped caudal fin.The back is slightly arched, and the belly is full.The body coloration is variable, even on the original strain.Usually the flanks are yellowish toorange, to bluish with black spots.The dorsal fin is generally yellow and the caudal fin is red.Femalesare generally less colorful.

After a gestation period of four to seven weeks, a female will have 20-150 young.Thefemale should be isolated prior to having the young, and the temperature should be raised to 72-81°F (22-27°C).Startfeeding with crushed flakes and Artemia nauplii.The young are sexually mature at six or seven months.