{"product_id":"bumble-bee-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus-freshwater","title":"Bumble Bee Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eThe Bumble Bee Platy (\u003cem\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e) is a hardy, peaceful livebearer prized for its bold yellow body and inky black banding. Easygoing, beginner-friendly, and active in the middle and upper levels of the tank, this little fish is a perfect anchor for any community aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eLooking for more freshwater fish? Browse our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFish\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFreshwater Supplies\u003c\/a\u003e collections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15 gallons minimum — 20+ gallons recommended for groups\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 70–80°F (21–27°C)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.0–8.2\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10–25 dGH (prefers harder, alkaline water)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore — quality flake, micro pellets, frozen brine shrimp\/daphnia, occasional blanched veggies\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful community fish — keep in groups of 5+, with more females than males\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMax Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.5–3 inches (6–7.5 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;\"\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eBumble Bee Platy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003ePoeciliidae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eCaptive bred (wild range: Mexico \u0026amp; Central America)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e3–5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize at Purchase\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eApproximately 1–1.5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eBumble Bee Platies are model community citizens — peaceful, sociable, and unfussy about who they share a tank with, as long as everyone enjoys similar water conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood tank mates:\u003c\/strong\u003e other platies (like our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/red-wag-platy\"\u003eRed Wag Platy\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/peppermint-platy\"\u003ePeppermint Platy\u003c\/a\u003e), mollies, guppies, swordtails, peaceful tetras, corydoras catfish, otocinclus, and nerite snails.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e aggressive cichlids, large predators, and notorious fin-nippers like tiger barbs — platies have flowing tails that can become targets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eTropical flake \u0026amp; micro pellets\u003c\/a\u003e — daily staple diet\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/maintenance-water-care\"\u003eWater conditioner\u003c\/a\u003e — treat tap water for every water change\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-testing\"\u003eFreshwater test kit\u003c\/a\u003e — monitor ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/filter-media-cartridges\"\u003eFilter media\u003c\/a\u003e — replace monthly for clean, stable water\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003eLive plants\u003c\/a\u003e — provide cover for fry and natural hiding spots\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many Bumble Bee Platies should I keep together?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGroups of 5 or more do best. Aim for 2–3 females per male to spread out male attention — lone females can be harassed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they breed in my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlmost certainly. Platies are livebearers and reproduce readily. Females drop 20–40 fry every 4–6 weeks. Add live plants or a breeder box if you want to save fry; otherwise the adults and other tank mates will eat most of them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre Bumble Bee Platies the same as Mickey Mouse Platies?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBoth belong to the platy family (genus \u003cem\u003eXiphophorus\u003c\/em\u003e) and are largely \u003cem\u003eX. maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e — just different color strains of the same species. Care is identical and they get along well together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo they need a heater?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. While platies tolerate cooler water than many tropicals, a heater set to 74–78°F keeps them comfortable and active year-round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48541144056027,"sku":"8533775","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/bubplaty.png?v=1777303391","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bumble-bee-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}