{"product_id":"red-wag-platy","title":"Red Wag Platy | Community Fish, Omnivore","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Red Wag Platy (\u003cem\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most iconic livebearers in the hobby — a vivid, fire-engine red body paired with bold black \"wag\" fins that pop in any planted tank. Peaceful, hardy, and endlessly active, platies are an excellent beginner-friendly community fish that breed readily and add constant color and motion to a freshwater setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLooking for more freshwater fish? Browse our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFresh Water\u003c\/a\u003e collection and our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eNutrition \u0026amp; Fish Food\u003c\/a\u003e selection.\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 10 gallons minimum — 20+ gallons recommended for a small group\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72–78°F (22–26°C)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.8–8.0\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10–28 dGH (loves harder, mineral-rich water)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Quality flake or micro pellets, plus frozen brine\/daphnia and blanched veggies. Try \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-freeze-dried-mysis-shrimp\"\u003eSFBB Freeze Dried Mysis Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-freeze-dried-plankton\"\u003eSFBB Freeze Dried Plankton\u003c\/a\u003e as a protein boost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful — ideal community fish, best in groups of 5 or more\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMax Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.5 inches (6 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\u003ctbody\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;\"\u003eRed Wag 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 ancestors from 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;\"\u003eApprox. 1 inch\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\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlaties are quintessential community fish — calm, social, and tolerant of a wide range of tank mates. They thrive in groups and do best alongside other peaceful species of similar size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood tank mates:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/balloon-molly-assorted\"\u003eballoon mollies\u003c\/a\u003e, guppies, swordtails, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/mixed-cory-catfish\"\u003ecorydoras catfish\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/neon-tetra-small-5-qty\"\u003eneon tetras\u003c\/a\u003e and other small tetras, rasboras, otocinclus, peaceful gouramis, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pink-lady-nerite-snail-clithon-sowerbyanum-freshwater-algae-eating-snail\"\u003enerite snails\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-diamond-shrimp-neocaridina-davidi-freshwater\"\u003eneocaridina shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e (with cover).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e aggressive cichlids, large barbs known for fin nipping (e.g., tiger barbs), and any fish large enough to swallow a 2–3 inch platy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-freeze-dried-mysis-shrimp\"\u003eSFBB Freeze Dried Mysis Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e — high-protein treat platies love\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-freeze-dried-plankton\"\u003eSFBB Freeze Dried Plankton\u003c\/a\u003e — varied diet for color and growth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eNutrition \u0026amp; Fish Food\u003c\/a\u003e — browse all our community-fish foods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/maintenance-water-care\"\u003eMaintenance \u0026amp; Water Care\u003c\/a\u003e — conditioners and water-change essentials\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003eFreshwater Plants\u003c\/a\u003e — cover for fry and natural cycling\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 platies should I keep together?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGroups of 5 or more are ideal. To minimize harassment, keep more females than males (2–3 females per male).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo platies breed in a community tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — platies are prolific livebearers and will breed readily without intervention. Provide dense plants or a breeder box if you want to save fry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre platies good for beginners?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAbsolutely. They are hardy, adaptable, peaceful, and forgiving of minor water-parameter swings — one of the best starter fish in the hobby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat do I feed them?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA high-quality flake or micro-pellet as a staple, supplemented with frozen brine shrimp or daphnia and occasional blanched zucchini or spinach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48077262848219,"sku":"FW1-F1091","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/RedWagPlaty_ab46dccb-dd8e-4b96-83ed-8618019e6dea.png?v=1777073898","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/red-wag-platy","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}