- Sku: 410072
- Vendor: Squeaky's Aquatics
Blue Wag Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)
Your order is reserved — we hold off on bagging until you arrive, so it stays healthy in its display tank.
The Blue Wag Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) is a hardy, peaceful livebearer with a shimmering pale-blue body and bold black "wag" fins. A perfect beginner community fish, blue wags stay small, breed readily in well-kept tanks, and add constant motion to the mid-water column. Pair with other peaceful livebearers from our freshwater fish selection.
Care Guide
- Care level: Beginner
- Minimum tank size: 10 gallons (20 G recommended for groups)
- Temperature: 70–77°F
- pH: 7.0–8.3 (prefers slightly alkaline, harder water)
- Hardness: Moderately hard to hard (10–25 dGH)
- Diet: Omnivore — quality flake (Ocean Nutrition Brine Shrimp Plus), micro pellets, and occasional vegetable matter
- Temperament: Peaceful, social, active
- Group size: Keep 3+ (skew female-heavy if mixing sexes)
Specifications
| Common Name | Blue Wag Platy |
| Scientific Name | Xiphophorus maculatus |
| Family | Poeciliidae (livebearers) |
| Origin | Captive bred (wild form native to Mexico & Central America) |
| Max Adult Size | ~2.5 in (6 cm) |
| Reproduction | Livebearer (ovoviviparous) |
| Water Type | Freshwater |
Compatibility
Peaceful and well-suited to a community tank. Pairs nicely with other livebearers, peaceful tetras, and bottom-dwelling cleanup crew. Good tank mates include:
- Guppies
- Swordtails
- Mollies
- Corydoras catfish
- Peaceful tetras (Neon, Black Skirt)
- Nerite snails for algae control
Avoid fin-nippers and large aggressive cichlids.
Recommended Foods & Supplies
- Ocean Nutrition Brine Shrimp Plus Flake — staple high-protein flake
- Browse all freshwater fish food
- Live freshwater plants — platies love cover and grazing on biofilm
- All freshwater livestock & supplies
FAQ
Are blue wag platies easy to keep?
Yes — they're one of the most beginner-friendly tropical fish. Hardy, peaceful, and tolerant of a wide pH/hardness range as long as the water is clean and stable.
Will they breed in my tank?
Almost certainly if you keep males and females together. Platies are prolific livebearers and drop fry every 4–6 weeks. Provide dense plant cover or a breeder box if you want fry to survive.
How many should I get?
A group of 3–6 looks best. If keeping mixed sexes, aim for 2–3 females per male to reduce harassment.
Do they need a heater?
Yes. Platies are tropical and do best with a stable temperature in the low-to-mid 70s°F.
Have a question?
Blue Wag Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)
