What Type of Fish Tanks Do Platys Need?

Platys are members of the guppy family. They are often promoted as beginner fish, since they are hearty and undemanding. Their colors make them popular; they have been selectively bred into a number of bright varieties.

  1. Aquarium Size

    • Platys do their best in aquariums of at least 20 gallons. They need tanks this size to accommodate the fact that they are active swimmers who prefer to live in groups. Like most fish, a wider tank offers advantage for platys over a taller tank of the same volume. Wider tanks have better oxygen exchange and provide more swimming room.

    Water Chemistry

    • For platys, water chemistry is not usually critical. They prefer hard, calcium-rich water; in most regions, dechlorinated tap water is hard enough for platys. Their ideal conditions include water with temperature between 68 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit. They prefer pH between 7.0 and 8.2. Most hard water is buffered to this pH by dissolved calcium and magnesium. While platys can survive in a wider range of water chemistry, to see them at their best and encourage them to reproduce, keep them in water with these parameters.

    Decorations

    • Decorations can help platys feel safe. If you plant their aquarium with dense aquarium plants, rocks and driftwood, this gives platys a place to feel safe. This makes platys feel less stressed in aquariums. Meanwhile, the aquarium needs open swimming spaces where they can school.

    Tank Mates

    • Platys are community aquarium fish: They get along with most peaceful, small aquarium fish. In terms of aggression, you only have to worry about avoiding fish who will attack platys or are large enough to eat them. Many livebearers from this family can crossbreed and produce undesirable hybrids, so you should avoid keeping livebearers from the same genus together. Avoid keeping more than one species of platy, or the fish's close relative the swordtail, together.