{"product_id":"hifin-neon-black-platy-xiphophorus-variatus-freshwater","title":"Hifin Neon Black Platy (Xiphophorus variatus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eHifin Neon Black Platy\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eXiphophorus variatus\u003c\/em\u003e) takes a tough, easygoing livebearer and dresses it up for the evening. The body is dark, the scales carry a metallic \"neon\" sheen that flashes blue and green as the fish turns under the light, and the dorsal fin stands up tall like a small sail. It is a striking contrast fish in a bright planted tank, and it keeps all the qualities that make platies great for beginners: hardy, peaceful, and always out in the open. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003elive fish\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to build its community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#FFF8E1;border-left:4px solid #F9A825;padding:10px 14px;margin:14px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProtect that tall fin.\u003c\/strong\u003e The hifin dorsal is the whole point of this fish, and it is a tempting target for fin nippers. Keep it away from tiger barbs, serpae tetras, and similar nippers, and it will stay tall and intact.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eA Variatus Platy\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo platy species are common in the hobby. The everyday platy is \u003cem\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e. This line is sold by our supplier as the Variatus Platy, \u003cem\u003eXiphophorus variatus\u003c\/em\u003e, a slightly slimmer, slightly larger cousin from eastern Mexico that tends to handle cooler water especially well. Decades of selective breeding have crossed the two species many times, so most fancy platies carry some genes from both, and care is the same either way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eColor develops with age. Young fish may look more charcoal than jet black, and the neon sheen and hifin dorsal get more dramatic as they mature, especially in males.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 gallons for a small trio, 20 gallons or more for a group or community. Variatus platies are active, and livebearer groups grow quickly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 68 to 78°F, pH 7.0 to 8.2, moderately hard to hard water. Soft, acidic water is the most common reason platies fade and fail. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-equilibrium-gh-mineral-builder-planted\"\u003eSeachem Equilibrium\u003c\/a\u003e helps if your tap water is soft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStocking ratio:\u003c\/strong\u003e two or three females for every male, or an all male group, so no single female is chased all day.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e omnivore that needs plant matter. A spirulina flake such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-spirulina-flakes\"\u003eXtreme Spirulina Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e once or twice a day, with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-micro-pellets\"\u003eHikari Micro Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e and frozen \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-frozen-brine-shrimp\"\u003ebrine shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e for variety. Good food brings out the best sheen.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDark background, bright light:\u003c\/strong\u003e black fish show best against green plants and light sand. A dark tank with a dark substrate hides them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e change about 25% weekly. Clean water keeps the tall dorsal fin free of fraying and fin rot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eXiphophorus variatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eHifin Neon Black Platy, Hi Fin Black Variatus Platy, Variable Platyfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariety\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBlack body, iridescent neon scales, tall hifin dorsal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 2 to 2.75 inches, females larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e10 gallons for a trio, 20 gallons for a group\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e68 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e7.0 to 8.2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eModerately hard to hard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore, spirulina flakes, micro pellets, frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLivebearer, breeds readily in home aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e2 to 4 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCaptive bred. Wild species native to eastern Mexico\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis platy fits almost any peaceful community that runs hard, neutral to alkaline water. Good company includes other livebearers like the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/green-lantern-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus-freshwater\"\u003eGreen Lantern Platy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-wag-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus-freshwater\"\u003eBlue Wag Platy\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pineapple-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii-freshwater\"\u003ePineapple Swordtail\u003c\/a\u003e, along with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zebra-danio-danio-rerio-freshwater\"\u003eZebra Danios\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/cherry-barb-puntius-titteya-freshwater\"\u003eCherry Barbs\u003c\/a\u003e, corys, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/racetrack-nerite-snail-vittina-sp-freshwater\"\u003enerite snails\u003c\/a\u003e. Its cool water tolerance also makes it a good match for unheated room temperature setups that stay above about 68°F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat goes wrong: fin nippers that shred the tall dorsal, large cichlids that bully or eat platies, and soft water specialists like discus that want very different conditions. Adult tank mates will eat fry, so add heavy plant cover if you want babies to survive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-spirulina-flakes\"\u003eXtreme Spirulina Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e as the daily staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-micro-pellets\"\u003eHikari Micro Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e for variety and growth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-frozen-brine-shrimp\"\u003eHikari Bio-Pure Frozen Brine Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e as a treat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-equilibrium-gh-mineral-builder-planted\"\u003eSeachem Equilibrium\u003c\/a\u003e to harden soft water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/guppy-grass-najas-guadalupensis-bagged-freshwater-plant\"\u003eGuppy Grass\u003c\/a\u003e for fry cover and bright green contrast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fluval-hang-on-breeding-boxes\"\u003eFluval Hang-On Breeding Box\u003c\/a\u003e to raise fry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes it a \"hifin\"?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA selectively bred trait that gives the fish a much taller, longer dorsal fin than a standard platy. It is most dramatic on mature males.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it a different fish from a regular platy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTechnically it is sold as the Variatus Platy, \u003cem\u003eXiphophorus variatus\u003c\/em\u003e, rather than the common \u003cem\u003eX. maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e. Aquarium lines of the two have been crossed for generations, so they behave, breed, and are cared for the same way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it breed with my other platies?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Platies of both species and swordtails all interbreed freely, so mixed tanks produce mixed looking babies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does mine look gray instead of black?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYoung fish, stress, and bare tanks all mute the color. Give it a week or two to settle, feed well, and keep plants around it, and the black and the neon sheen usually deepen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it need a heater?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot always. Variatus platies handle cooler water better than most tropicals and do fine from 68 to 78°F. If your room drops below that, add a heater.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48541160702171,"sku":"8572025","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_040bcf87-a250-4c08-98b1-5e21be092155.jpg?v=1775046908","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hifin-neon-black-platy-xiphophorus-variatus-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}