Species › Livebearers

Platy tank mates and minimum tank size

Xiphophorus maculatus

Platies grow to 5 cm (2 in). They need 20–25 °C (68–77 °F) and pH 7.0–8.0.

Minimum tank

54 L (14 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long

Adult size

5 cm (2 in)

Temperature

20–25 °C (68–77 °F)

pH

pH 7.0–8.0

Group

no minimum

Platy minimum tank size

Platies need at least 54 L (14 US gal), in a tank at least 60 cm (24 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 5 cm (2 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (20 cm (7.9 in)).

Platy tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against platies by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (30)

• Black neon tetra
• Bristlenose pleco
• Celestial pearl danio
• Cherry barb
• Common pleco
• Congo tetra
• Endler's livebearer
• Glowlight tetra
• Goldfish
• Guppy
• Honey gourami
• Kribensis
• Lemon tetra
• Molly
• Mystery snail
• Nerite snail
• Otocinclus
• Panda corydoras
• Paradise fish
• Pearl gourami
• Pygmy corydoras
• Red tail shark
• Rosy barb
• Serpae tetra
• Siamese algae eater
• Swordtail
• Tiger barb
• White cloud mountain minnow
• Yoyo loach
• Zebra danio

With care (12)

• BettaThe only temperature that suits both is 24.4–25 °C (76–77 °F), set by bettas and platies. That leaves no margin. Bettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as platies, many do not.
• Black skirt tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by platies and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Bronze corydorasThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by bronze corydoras and platies. That leaves no margin.
• Cherry shrimpPlaties (5 cm) usually leave adult cherry shrimp (4 cm) alone but eat the young.
• Chili rasboraThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by chili rasboras and platies. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by platies and chili rasboras. That leaves no margin.
• Clown loachThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by clown loaches and platies. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by platies and clown loaches. That leaves no margin.
• Dwarf gouramiThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by dwarf gouramis and platies. That leaves no margin.
• Ember tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by platies and ember tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Glass catfishThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by platies and glass catfish. That leaves no margin.
• Harlequin rasboraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by platies and harlequin rasboras. That leaves no margin.
• Neon tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by platies and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Peppered corydorasThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by platies and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (10)

• AngelfishAngelfish need 25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F); platies need 20–25 °C (68–77 °F). No temperature suits both. Angelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; platies grow to 5 cm.
• Boeseman's rainbowfishBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); platies need 20–25 °C (68–77 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Cardinal tetraPlaties need pH 7.0–8.0; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidPlaties need pH 7.0–8.0; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so platies would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; platies grow to 5 cm.
• DiscusDiscus need 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); platies need 20–25 °C (68–77 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by platies and discus. That leaves no margin.
• German blue ramGerman blue rams need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); platies need 20–25 °C (68–77 °F). No temperature suits both. Platies need pH 7.0–8.0; German blue rams need pH 5.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Kuhli loachPlaties need pH 7.0–8.0; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both.
• OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; platies grow to 5 cm.
• Rummy-nose tetraPlaties need pH 7.0–8.0; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Check against another species Plan a tank