{"product_id":"neon-wagtail-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus-3-5cm","title":"Neon Wagtail Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) 3.5cm","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNeon Wagtail Platy\u003c\/strong\u003e is a selectively bred variety of the Southern Platyfish, prized for its vivid body coloration combined with sharply contrasting black fins (“wagtail” pattern). It is one of the most reliable, peaceful, and beginner‑friendly livebearers in the aquarium trade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"overview\"\u003e Overview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Neon Wagtail Platy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eXiphophorus maculatus\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Poeciliidae\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Selective colour and fin pattern morph\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Captive‑bred (ancestor species native to Mexico, Central America)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–6 cm (2–2.5 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–5 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"appearanceidentification\"\u003e Appearance \u0026amp; Identification\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBody:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright neon red, orange, coral, or pink (varies by line)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFins:\u003c\/strong\u003e Solid jet‑black dorsal, caudal, and often pelvic fins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e“Wagtail” Trait:\u003c\/strong\u003e Genetically inherited black fin pigmentation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSex Differences:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMales:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smaller, slimmer, have a gonopodium\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFemales:\u003c\/strong\u003e Larger, deeper‑bodied, rounded anal fin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigh‑quality Neon Wagtails show \u003cstrong\u003eclean colour saturation with sharp black fin edges\u003c\/strong\u003e, not faded or mottled tones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"aquariumcare\"\u003e Aquarium Care\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4 id=\"tanksize\"\u003eTank Size\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15 gallons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIdeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20–30 gallons for groups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlaties are active but not hyper swimmers, making them adaptable to mid‑sized community aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 id=\"waterparameters\"\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.0–8.2\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate to hard (10–25 dGH)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low to moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFiltration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Efficient biological filtration, gentle current\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlaties strongly prefer \u003cstrong\u003ealkaline, mineral‑rich water\u003c\/strong\u003e and may decline long‑term in very soft or acidic setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"aquascapingpreferences\"\u003e Aquascaping Preferences\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eModerately planted tanks are ideal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpen swimming areas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDense plant cover for fry and female refuge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Suggestions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVallisneria\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJava fern\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnubias\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHornwort\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFloating plants (e.g., frogbit)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"diet\"\u003e Diet\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOmnivorous, with a strong inclination toward vegetable matter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStaple Foods\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh‑quality flake or micro‑pellet with spirulina\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVegetable Supplements\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlanched zucchini\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpinach\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShelled peas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProtein Treats\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrine shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDaphnia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBloodworms (sparingly)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA plant‑heavy diet helps prevent bloating and improves colour intensity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"temperamentcompatibility\"\u003e Temperament \u0026amp; Compatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful, social\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSchooling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Loose‑shoaling fish, best kept in groups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Ratio\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 male : 2–3 females\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIdeal Tank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther platies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGuppies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMollies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCorydoras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall peaceful tetras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBristlenose plecos\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAggressive or nippy species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarge predatory fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNeon Wagtail Platies are excellent choices for \u003cstrong\u003ecommunity and family aquariums\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"breeding\"\u003e Breeding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike all platies, Neon Wagtails are \u003cstrong\u003elivebearers\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGestation:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~24–30 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFry Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15–50 per brood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding Difficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very easy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFemales can store sperm for multiple births\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDense plants greatly improve fry survival\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFry accept crushed flake or powdered fry foods immediately\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e","brand":"Two-Man Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51303076364606,"sku":"22778981064606","price":8.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0837\/5104\/3390\/files\/1_NeonWagtailPlaty.jpg?v=1774379033","url":"https:\/\/yourlocalfishstore.com\/products\/neon-wagtail-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus-3-5cm","provider":"Your Local Fish Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}