Bumble Bee Hi Fin Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)

Bright, peaceful, and easy to care for, the Bumble Bee Hi Fin Platy is a striking livebearer known for its bold yellow‑and‑black “bumble bee” pattern and elegant high dorsal fin. This hardy variety is an excellent choice for beginners and experienced aquarists alike, adding vibrant colour and movement to any community aquarium.

Overview

• Common Name: Bumble Bee Hi Fin Platy
• Scientific Name: Xiphophorus maculatus
• Origin: Captive-bred
• Size: 2–2.5 inches
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Difficulty: Easy
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Diet: Omnivore

Appearance

This beautiful platy features:

• A striking yellow-and-black bumble bee body pattern
• A graceful extended high dorsal fin that gives it a flowing, elegant look
• Bright, active schooling behaviour that adds colour and motion to planted tanks

Care Requirements

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 22–26°C (72–79°F)
• pH: 7.0–8.0
• Hardness: Medium–hard water preferred
• Salinity: Optional—tolerates very low salinity for health support

Tank Setup

• Best in well‑planted aquariums with open swimming space
• Peaceful and compatible with other community fish such as guppies, mollies, tetras, rasboras, and corydoras
• Livebearers—males and females will breed readily

Diet

A true omnivore. Feed a varied diet for best health:

• High-quality flakes
• Micro pellets
• Spirulina-based foods
• Frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms

Behaviour

Peaceful, active, and social.
They thrive in groups of 3+, ideally with more females than males if kept together.