{"product_id":"mickey-mouse-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus-freshwater","title":"Mickey Mouse Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)","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\u003eMickey Mouse Platy\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e) gets its name from a small marking at the base of the tail: a dark crescent with two round spots above it that looks just like a famous cartoon mouse. Around that signature mark, this listing is an assortment of colors, which can include reds, oranges, golds, yellows, and bluish or silvery fish depending on the batch. Platies are sturdy, cheerful, always busy, and one of the very best first fish for a new community tank. 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 around them.\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\u003eColors are assorted, and platies breed.\u003c\/strong\u003e We pick healthy fish from the current mix, so the color you get may differ from the photo. If you would like a particular color, or all males or all females, ask us at the tank and we will do our best. A male and female together will almost certainly produce babies.\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;\"\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 a mixed community. Platies are active swimmers and a colony grows fast.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 70 to 78°F, pH 7.0 to 8.2, moderately hard to hard water. Platies do poorly in soft, acidic water, so if your tap water is soft, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-equilibrium-gh-mineral-builder-planted\"\u003eSeachem Equilibrium\u003c\/a\u003e helps raise hardness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStocking ratio:\u003c\/strong\u003e keep two or three females for every male, or an all male group. Males chase females constantly, and spreading that attention keeps everyone less stressed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e omnivore with a real appetite for plant matter. Feed a quality flake like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fluval-bug-bites-spirulina-flakes\"\u003eFluval Bug Bites Spirulina Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tetra-tetramin-tropical-flakes\"\u003eTetraMin\u003c\/a\u003e once or twice a day, with frozen \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-frozen-daphnia\"\u003edaphnia\u003c\/a\u003e or brine shrimp as treats.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFiltration and maintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e livebearers eat a lot and produce a lot of waste. Change 25% weekly and do not let the population outgrow the filter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlants and cover:\u003c\/strong\u003e dense plants such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/guppy-grass-najas-guadalupensis-bagged-freshwater-plant\"\u003eGuppy Grass\u003c\/a\u003e give females a break from males and give babies somewhere to hide.\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 maculatus\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;\"\u003eMickey Mouse Platy, Southern Platyfish, Moonfish\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;\"\u003eMickey Mouse tail spot, assorted body colors\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 2.5 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;\"\u003e70 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, flakes with vegetable content plus frozen treats\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, gives birth to free swimming fry about every 4 to 6 weeks\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 Mexico and Central America\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\u003ePlaties are about as easygoing as fish get. They mix well with other livebearers like the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bumble-bee-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus-freshwater\"\u003eBumble Bee Platy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/silver-redtop-mickey-mouse-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus-freshwater\"\u003eSilver Redtop Mickey Mouse Platy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sailfin-molly-poecilia-latipinna-freshwater\"\u003eSailfin Molly\u003c\/a\u003e, and swordtails, plus peaceful fish that enjoy the same harder water such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zebra-danio-danio-rerio-freshwater\"\u003eZebra Danios\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/cherry-barb-puntius-titteya-freshwater\"\u003eCherry Barbs\u003c\/a\u003e. Corys, bushynose plecos, and nerite snails work well on the bottom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat goes wrong: large or aggressive cichlids, which will bully or eat them, and fish that need soft, acidic water such as discus. Any fish with a big enough mouth will eat platy fry, so if you want babies to survive, give them heavy plant cover or a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fluval-hang-on-breeding-boxes\"\u003ebreeding box\u003c\/a\u003e. Platies may also crossbreed with swordtails, which is harmless but worth knowing if you care about pure colors.\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\/fluval-bug-bites-spirulina-flakes\"\u003eFluval Bug Bites Spirulina Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e for the vegetable side of their diet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tetra-tetramin-tropical-flakes\"\u003eTetraMin Tropical Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e as an everyday staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-frozen-daphnia\"\u003eHikari Bio-Pure Frozen Daphnia\u003c\/a\u003e as a treat that also aids digestion\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-equilibrium-gh-mineral-builder-planted\"\u003eSeachem Equilibrium\u003c\/a\u003e if your water is soft\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 grazing\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 babies safely\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\u003eWhich color will I get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is an assorted listing, so colors vary with each batch and we pick from what is in the tank. If you prefer a certain color, ask us when you pick up and we will choose one for you if we have it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I get all males or all females?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsually, yes. Just ask. Males have a pointed, rod shaped anal fin called a gonopodium, while females have a fan shaped one, so we can sort them at the tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI only bought females. Why are there babies?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFemale platies store sperm and can give birth several times without a male present. If a female spent any time with males before you bought her, expect a surprise batch or two.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I keep the population under control?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKeep single sex groups, or let the other fish in the tank eat most of the fry. Extra healthy platies can usually find a new home through hobbyist groups or a local fish store.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo platies need a heater?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn most homes, yes. They tolerate cooler water than many tropicals, but a steady 72 to 78°F keeps them active and resistant to disease.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48152030413019,"sku":"8333655","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/s1032jbdidv_jpg-medium_jpg.png?v=1768484446","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/mickey-mouse-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}