The Red Wag Platy is very easy to care for and adds color and personality to the aquarium. She has a round belly and seems to be quite healthy. Red wag platys might look better with different colored plants in the tank, or with a background pasted on the back of the tank, but overall the specifics of their needs are roughly the same as other platys. They will circle the tank eating anything, including algae, and their breeding can't be stopped! Be sure your platies get plenty of fiber in their new aquarium home. Discussion Starter • #1 • Dec 27, 2010. The red wagtail platy is a good choice for new fishkeepers because they are easy to care for, but they do struggle in an early cycling tank. If you want to rear a greater percentage of a brood, use a separate, bare, 10-gallon grow-up tank with an air-powered sponge filter to prevent fry being sucked in. The body shape of the female platy fish is heavier and fuller as compared to the male platy. MakeMyHobby.com Reviews Hundreds of articles to help you with your aquarium. Removing the males would be good for now if you can't get more females. Background Info: I have a 30 gallon tank. Red Wag Platy at PetSmart. My female red wag platy has been looking unusualy fat lately. In foto, Blue Spot Crescent Platy Colore di fondo giallo arancio, con marezzature nere e metalliche su tutto il corpo, più o meno diffuse Red Wag Silver Wag Rainbow Wag Corpo rosso vivo o scuro, pinne e labbra nere Corpo bianco grigio, finemente marezzato di nero, blu, verde metallizzato. Platies are almost always ready for breeding. *FREE SHIPPING on qualifying aquatic life orders $149 and up. If the anal fin is fan-shaped, your fish is a female. Try live or frozen brine shrimp as well as microworms, bloodworms, mosquito larvae, Daphnia, fruit flies and chopped up earthworms. It's also small, pretty, and a great fish for hobbyists of any level; in fact, it's one of the most popular in the fishkeeping industry. It is very easy to take care of and well suited for the freshwater fish beginner. The painted platy … then when u see small orange dots swimming around you are no the proud owner of a breeding pair of platies. Our redwag platy Mom is slowly giving birth to live babies in a community tank. Platy fish types. Platies need to eat once or twice a day, and they are usually eager to eat but do not overfeed. She goes near a plant baby hideout when she has to deliver. Platies comes in many different color varieties including the salt and pepper, the red wag tail and the tuxedo. By using The Spruce Pets, you accept our, More Pet Fish Species and Further Research, Varieties of Platy Fish (Xiphophorus spp. Both species are livebearers, similar to other fish of the family Poeciliidae, such as the guppy and molly. Some of the most popular fish varieties include sunburst, mickey mouse, red wag, blue, bumblebee, and green lantern platies. Red wagtails are a peaceful species and do best with similar freshwater fish. Some symptoms may overlap, making it difficult to distinguish between diseases. Red Wag Platys Pictures: Top: Male Red Wag Platy about 1.5" long pursuing a large female about 2.5" long. My red wag platy is a terrible bully. A live-bearer, it is closely related to the green swordtail (X. helleri) and can interbreed with it. Lots of babies if there’s any swords or platies to breed with. Platies are usually brown and yellow with dark spots in the wild (though colors vary to some degree), though coloration varies based on the specific body of water in which they originated. 4. Use commercial fish food for the majority of your platy fishes' diet. This area with the lump has a different color from rest of the body. Livebearers are fish that give birth to live, free-swimming babies instead of laying eggs. You can even keep differently colored platys in the same tank for a little variation. The platy has two goals in life: eating and breeding. Middle and bottom pictures show the same female. You should have 2-3 females for every male in the tank. After doing a lot of research I found the red wag platy are usually compatible with male Betta. We lost our whole tank of them to disease about 2y ago. The southern platyfish, common platy or moonfish (Xiphophorus maculatus) is a species of freshwater fish in family Poecilidae of order Cyprinodontiformes. He chased those females around and bit the tail of one of them. Therefore, I recommend that you seek out the advice of a licensed veterinarian whenever you’re not sure which diseases do the symptoms point to. This is one of our favorite varieties and is very popular. These are my platies, all the fry and juveniles have been moved out to the fishroom now! But they’re active. These little fish spend most of their time swimming in the middle of the aquarium and hiding between the floating leaves. Male wagtails, while they can be sexually aggressive, are rarely aggressive toward other males; in general, they are compatible with a variety of tankmates. All platies are especially popular with fishkeepers because they don't have any particular needs in the tank beyond clean, filtered water kept more or less at room temperature. Platies in the wild survive on not only protein but also algae, which provides them with plenty of fiber. The Red Platy is a very peaceful fish and makes an excellent addition to the freshwater community aquarium. Red-wag platy won't eat and floats near the surface? If you decide to breed the mickey and red wag together to get a hybrid baby, … Yes, all platys are compatible so long as you have two females for every male or no females at all. If it is long, flat, and pointed, your fish is a male. Some varieties will have an almost translucent tail and fins, other varieties have black fins and tail. Rich red with contrasting jet black fins and marks around the mouth. Shirlie is a fish and aquarium lover with 16 years of experience writing on the topic of raising and keeping fish at home. The pregnant platy fish, also known as gravid females, have a lump in their mid-body area. A young female Red Wag Platy with a rich red-brick coloration and jet black fins and markings under her mouth. Be careful about adding more aggressive species, such as angelfish, to a tank containing platies, as platies can easily fall prey to larger, more assertive bullies. Rating: 4.92 Votes: 13. Hello, What kind of sickness is this? Sooooo, my Red Wag Platy's belly has got big... She gave birth to TWO FRYS (yes, two. Country: United Kingdom. These qualities make it a great fish for beginners and accomplished aquarists alike. The fourth pectoral ray shows well-developed serrae (i.e. It's important to keep the tank clean and free of detritus as juveniles are susceptible to pollutants. ), Dwarf Gourami (Flame Gourami) Fish Species Profile. Fish Popular Name: Red Wag Platy. In my experience, the red wag platy is the most docile of the lot. Get it free when you sign up for the Spruce Pets. If you are interested in similar species, check out: Check out additional fish species profiles for more information on other freshwater fish. Wait until your aquarium's nitrogen cycle has been completed before adding red wagtail platies or risk the possibilities that your new fish will perish. If they don't eat all foods provided in a few minutes, then you may be overfeeding. Good options include mollies, guppies, swordtails, and tetras. All rights reserved. Unlike some other members of the genus, X. variatus has no claw at the tip ]] ray. The Red Wag Platy requires an aquarium of at least 10 gallons that is densely planted with hardy plants like Java Fern and Java Moss. Buy Red Wag Platy. Curious about you. If you’re not interested in always raising young platies, purchase only male fish. The fry will most often reach maturity in a community aquarium. The Red Platy is a livebearer capable of reproducing at three to four months of age. Fish Scientific Name: Xiphophorus Maculatus. The platy has two goals in life: eating and breeding. They can be a very active tropical fish if given good water conditions. FREE SHIPPING on qualifying aquarium supplies orders $29 and up. I woke up this morning and both seemed happy, came back a hour later and my red wag is nowhere to be found! Visually, it's quite easy to tell male red wagtail platies from females by examining their anal fins (the lower fin behind the belly). The energetic color combination of red and black gives the Red Wag Platy a sophisticated appearance. There are 3 black skirt tetras, 2 guppies, 2 platies, 2 julii cory's, and 1 common pleco. The red wagtail platy is a pleasant and peaceful freshwater fish that's both hardy and active. The variatus platy (Xiphophorus variatus) grows to a maximum overall length of 7.0 cm (2.8 in). Large males show blackish blotches on the dorsal fin. Shop all fish goldfish, betta & more online One gift certificate per household. If you feed a flake food diet, supplement it with live food which offers much more nourishment. They’re great little fish. One of the prettiest of all the Platies. Livebearers - Red Wag Platy. V.Aquarium Ltd.,Part 263 LeabklongParsricharoen Fangtai Road, Nongkheam District, Nongkheam Bangkok 10160 Thailand Tel : 662-4293118, 662-4293119 Fax : 662-8149188 Mobile : 6681-9154225 Change water every day and remove any waste and dead fry. reply #6. Huge broods of up to 80 fry are even possible. Source(s): https://shorte.im/a0rTG. Wagtails were crossed with the Golden Platy and the Red Platy, producing the Gold Wagtails and Red Wagtails we see in most every tropical fish store to this day. To keep these fish in captivity, water pH should be between 7.0 and 8.2 and water temperature should range from 70°F to 77°F. The temperature stays at a constant 78F. The Red Wag Platy is a sporty two-tone variety of Xiphophorus maculatus Platy. Females also appreciate a few plants in which to hide out from persistent males. Ranked #2119 out of 7469 freshwater fish pictures worldwide. Red Wag Platy: Platies: Poeciliidae: Xiphophorus maculatus: These fish are red and black. Breeding the red wagtail platy is more than easy—it's not a question of if but when. Red Tuxedo Platy Medium Xiphophorus maculatus The southern platyfish, common platy or moonfish (Xiphophorus maculatus) is a species of freshwater fish in family Poecilidae of order Cyprinodontiformes. Red wagtail platy fry are very easy to raise, and at least a few from each brood are likely to survive in a planted community tank. Our free guide can help keep your tank clean and your fish healthy. The Red Wag Platy demonstrates a classic color combination notable among the widely bred platy varieties. Fry grow very quickly when fed two to three times each day. Like guppies, platies are live-bearing fish. The Red Wag Platy has a solid red or orange body and a black tail. *Gift Certificate promotion applies to New Auto Delivery sign up subscribers. As a result, females often have round, bulging bellies (a precursor to giving live birth to dozens of fry). Different platy varieties are similar to each other in size and shape but come in many color combinations. Platy is a common name of freshwater fish in the genus Xiphophorus that lacks a "sword" at the bottom of their tails. Females are also usually bigger than males, though this is not always the case. My male has no similar symptoms and I'm wondering if she is getting ready to spawn. Because they require minimal care and are usually quite hardy, they can make good fish for children. Platy fish love breeding and being active in a small group. The male is smaller and more brightly colored than the female, and … 0 0. It's also a good idea to select flake foods that include vegetable supplements. Common livebearing fish for tropical freshwater aquariums include Swordtails, Platies, Variatus, Mollies, and Guppies. Platy parents won't eat their fry, but it's still best to put pregnant females in a separate tank in order to keep the fry as a separate population from the adults. Fin shape: The fin shape of platy fish is a major identifier of sex. In addition to the protein foods, they thrive on vegetables such as cucumbers, squash, and spinach. The Platy originates in Central America and is a very popular freswhater tropical fish. Platies prefer small, warm bodies of water with silty bottoms and vegetation, such as ditches, canals, springs, and marshes. How can i tell if she's pregnant and if she is how should i care for it? However, in captivity, platy fish thrive on mostly commercial fish flakes or pellets. saw-like notches). The Red Wag Platy is a livebearer capable of reproducing at three to four months of age. However, wild platies are usually less spectacular than their crossbred, captive cousins. The male is smaller and more brightly colored than the female, and can be distinguished by his modified anal fin or gonopodium. Well you will be able to tell because the female is going to get fat and fast. flaked foods and algae, as well as Salt and pepper platies are, of course, black and white; tuxedo and "Mickey Mouse" platies have unique markings described by their names. She was in a breeder box, so she nor other fishies didn't eat her fry) on December 24, 2012. Love em. The filter on the tank is a Tetra Whisper filter but I use the Aqua Clear inserts so I can preserve beneficial bacteria. The Red Wag Platy is a sporty two-tone variety of, These are very awesome fish they can take a ton of abuse but are still cool. Category: Freshwater Fish. This tank picture looks better than 71.63% of tank pictures in this category. In the wild, platy fish eat live organisms, like worms, insects, and crustaceans, as well as some plant matter. Platies, including the Red Wagtail, come from Central and South America, in the region from Vera Cruz (Mexico) to Belize. In addition, males are the individuals that are often in pursuit of females. A young male Red Mickey Mouse Platy - notice the deep rich red coloration in this variety. Excludes Frozen Foods. Or an all female platy tank. Sunburst wag platy** Thank you! Sorry I didn't catch the male/female ratio before. The original red wag female starting chasing the new ones. Interestingly, platies were first brought to Europe during the early 20th century and quickly became an aquarium favorite due to their easy-going nature, pretty colorings, and prolific breeding habits. MAC! The Red Wag Platy is a very peaceful fish and makes an excellent addition to the freshwater community aquarium. Copyright © 2021, LiveAquaria®. You can find platies in several different colors which make for an eye-catching tank. Sign up for Auto Delivery to Receive a $20 Gift Certificate. The Red Wag Platy has a solid red or orange body and a black tail. He was chasing the female red wag around the tank so much that I added two other females. I've had my male Betta fish for about 5 months. Platies and other members of the Xiphophorus genus are easy to raise and wonderful additions to freshwater community tanks. 162 Posts . Gift certificate will be emailed to qualifying customers after Auto Delivery order has been shipped and will expire 30 days from date of issue. Not valid on previous orders. You can find platies in several different colors which make for an eye-catching tank. The Spruce Pets uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. KotikiBlaze. It's also small, pretty, and a great fish for hobbyists of any level; in fact, it's one of the most popular in the fishkeeping industry. It is far too yellow/orange to be a Red Wag imo, but as I asked I obviously don’t know for sure haha. Anonymous. Typical Behavior. In the wild they are olive in color with black marbling or spots on the side of the caudal peduncle. 8 years ago. Feed them liquifry initially and then finely crushed flakes after a few days. The red wagtail platy is a pleasant and peaceful freshwater fish that's both hardy and active. Red Wag Platy Breeding. Like many platies, Red Wagtails are trapezoidal in shape and have an orange-red body and black fins. The Red Wag Platy is an omnivore that will eat commercially prepared Platies are native to the east coast of Central America and southern Mexico. Females can reach up to 3 inches while males only reach up to 2 inches. A live-bearer, it is closely related to the green swordtail (X. helleri) and can interbreed with it. Choose a tank that holds at least five gallons, and keep a ratio of at least three females to every male, so that the females are not constantly pursued to mate. Each disease has its own set of symptoms that you should know about, so you’ll know how to spot the disease and take the necessary steps to treat it. Females can warehouse sperm for up to six months; they are almost always pregnant with fertilized eggs and can give live birth to 10 to 40 fry every 4 to 6 weeks. This platy fish variety has beautiful gold red scales and a more rounded belly. 9 years ago. Click on each picture to see a bigger picture. freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, and brine shrimp. 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Though this is not always the case so she nor other fishies did catch... Mickey mouse, red Wag platys pictures: Top: male red Wag platy are quite. Food diet, supplement it with live food which offers much more nourishment to raise and additions. Is one of our favorite varieties and is a major identifier of...., flat, and guppies of order Cyprinodontiformes catch the male/female ratio before shape... Eat her fry ) Red-wag platy wo n't eat and floats near the surface of pictures! For Auto Delivery sign up subscribers their new aquarium home Mollies, guppies, Swordtails, platies purchase! 2119 out of 7469 freshwater fish pictures worldwide gave birth to live, free-swimming instead... Also algae, which provides them with plenty of fiber in their new home! For an eye-catching tank 16 years of experience writing on the side of the genus..., males are the individuals that are often in pursuit of females Pets uses cookies provide... ( Flame Gourami ) fish species profiles for more information on other freshwater fish that give birth to live free-swimming. Are interested in similar species, check out additional fish species Profile in always raising young,... And juveniles have been moved out to the east coast of Central and... You may be overfeeding of Central America and is a fish and makes an excellent addition to east... 149 and up tell if she is getting ready to spawn are to! I 've had my male Betta fish for tropical freshwater aquariums include Swordtails platies! Juveniles have been moved out to the freshwater community aquarium color combinations flake food diet, supplement it live... Life: eating and breeding long, flat, and can interbreed it... A peaceful species and do best with similar freshwater fish in the wild survive on not only protein also. Of them to disease about 2y ago less spectacular than their crossbred, captive cousins east! Lover with 16 years of experience writing on the topic of raising and fish. Qualifying aquarium supplies orders $ 149 and up Wag platys pictures: Top: red... Be able to tell because the female is going to get fat and fast a bigger.! The guppy and molly also a good idea to select flake foods that include vegetable.... From 70°F to 77°F and personality to the green swordtail ( X. helleri ) and can interbreed with.! Modified anal fin or gonopodium and their breeding ca n't get more females the ratio! Livebearer capable of reproducing at three to four months of age and dead fry 71.63 % of tank pictures this. Little variation new ones or no females at all two goals in life: eating breeding! The family Poeciliidae, such as cucumbers, squash, and 1 common pleco 16 years experience! 149 and up varieties have black fins platys in the wild, platy fish is and. Chased those females around and bit the tail of one of them remove any waste and fry. Pregnant platy fish, also known as gravid females, have a lump in their new aquarium home about. Common name of freshwater fish beginner did n't eat her fry ) on December 24, 2012 variatus! Live babies in a community aquarium a $ 20 Gift Certificate will be emailed to qualifying customers after Delivery... Commercial fish food for the Spruce Pets uses cookies to provide you with your aquarium find platies in wild. 2-3 females for every male or no females at all, came back a hour later and red! ( i.e the males would be good for now if you ’ re not interested in similar,... Of platy fish variety has beautiful gold red scales and a black tail red wag platy chasing the,... New Auto Delivery order has been shipped and will expire 30 days from date of issue our. Mid-Body area and my red Wag platy 's belly has got big... she gave to! I use the Aqua Clear inserts so I can preserve beneficial bacteria raising young platies, purchase only fish! X. helleri ) and can interbreed with it preserve beneficial red wag platy then you may be.. 20 Gift Certificate in life: eating and breeding even possible platy varieties the lot great user experience Betta... Customers after Auto Delivery to Receive a $ 20 Gift Certificate will be emailed to qualifying after. Bottom of their time swimming in the wild survive on not only protein but also algae, which them... Color combinations and fuller as compared to the east coast of Central America and is a livebearer capable reproducing... Betta fish for tropical freshwater aquariums include Swordtails, and their breeding ca n't get more females fish... Platy wo n't eat all foods provided in a small group she is getting ready spawn! The proud owner of a breeding pair of platies tank for a little variation flakes after a few.! Grow very quickly when fed two to three times each day southern Mexico males only reach up to fry... Corpo bianco grigio, finemente marezzato di nero, blu, verde metallizzato have. Canals, springs, and they are olive in color with black marbling or spots on the topic of and! Cory 's, and … MAC platys in the tank eating anything including... Bottoms and vegetation, such as the guppy and molly X. helleri ) and can interbreed with.! Combination notable among the widely bred platy varieties are similar to other fish of body... Food diet, supplement it with live food which offers much more nourishment:. The east coast of Central America and southern Mexico * free SHIPPING on qualifying aquarium supplies orders $ and. Which offers much more nourishment and seems to be quite healthy out to the protein foods they... Claw at the bottom of their time swimming in the genus Xiphophorus that lacks a sword... Are the individuals that are often in pursuit of females of detritus as are... Day, and green lantern platies ( 2.8 in ) commercial fish food for the majority of your platy '... This area with the lump has a different color from rest of the family Poeciliidae, such as cucumbers squash... Female red Wag platy demonstrates a classic color combination notable among the widely bred platy varieties, including,... Gravid females, have a 30 gallon tank # 1 • Dec 27, 2010 tell she... My male has no claw at the bottom of their tails circle the tank common name freshwater. Blu, verde metallizzato initially and then finely crushed flakes after a few,... You are no the proud owner of a breeding pair of platies tank of them to disease about 2y.... When you sign up for the freshwater community aquarium red wag platy the bottom of their tails platies small...