Guide
Platy fish care guide
Platies are colourful, peaceful livebearers. Tank size, water, feeding, and tank mates.
- 10+ gallons, group of five or more, heater and filter.
- Stable water; avoid overfeeding; they breed easily.
- Good with other peaceful community fish.
Tank size and setup
Platies do well in 10 gallons or more. Keep them in groups of five or so; they are social. Heater (mid-70s °F) and filter required. They enjoy planted tanks and open swimming space. See how to set up a fish tank and cycling.
Water parameters
They tolerate a range of pH (around 7–8) and medium hardness. Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero and nitrate low. Test regularly and log results (e.g. in App-aquatic).
Feeding
Omnivores: quality flake or pellet plus occasional veg or small live/frozen food. Avoid overfeeding; one or two small feeds per day is enough.
Breeding
Livebearers: they have babies easily. If you keep males and females, expect fry. Plan for rehoming or extra tank space, or keep single-sex groups. See breeding for more.
Tank mates
Peaceful community fish: other livebearers (guppies, mollies), tetras, rasboras, corydoras. Avoid aggressive or fin-nipping species. See community tank fish.
Keep learning
Stable aquariums come from consistent testing and patient stocking. Continue with our water parameters guide, how to cycle a tank, and combining fish safely. For logging and strip scans, see App-aquatic.
Log parameters, scan strips offline, and run stocking checks with App-aquatic.
Get the free appTank size and setup?
Platies do well in 10 gallons or more. Keep them in groups of five or so; they are social. Heater (mid-70s °F) and filter required. They enjoy planted tanks and open swimming space. See how to set up a fish tank and cycling .
Water parameters?
They tolerate a range of pH (around 7–8) and medium hardness. Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero and nitrate low. Test regularly and log results (e.g. in App-aquatic ).
Feeding?
Omnivores: quality flake or pellet plus occasional veg or small live/frozen food. Avoid overfeeding ; one or two small feeds per day is enough.
Breeding?
Livebearers: they have babies easily. If you keep males and females, expect fry. Plan for rehoming or extra tank space, or keep single-sex groups. See breeding for more.
Tank mates?
Peaceful community fish: other livebearers ( guppies , mollies ), tetras, rasboras, corydoras . Avoid aggressive or fin-nipping species. See community tank fish .
More guides · Guppy care · Molly care · Community tank · Get the app