Mickey Mouse Platy Fish Species Profile

Origin and Distribution

Native to North and Central America from Ciudad Veracruz, Mexico, to northern Belize in Central America, this platy shouldn’t be thought of to be endangered. Nonnative populations now reside in quite a lot of areas inside america, together with California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, and Texas.

Colours and Markings

In case you are questioning the place this cute fish received its nickname, simply look carefully on the tail space, and you will uncover a “hidden Mickey.” Close to the bottom of the tail is a big spherical black spot upon that are perched two smaller spherical “ears” that give it the spitting picture of the favored Disney character, Mickey Mouse.

The fish itself could also be pale yellow to gold, pink to orange, and even bluish in colour. The fins could vary from pale yellow to red- or black-tinged. There are additionally long-finned and high-finned varieties. Regardless of the colour and fin variations, all are the identical species of fish.

Tankmates

The Mickey Mouse platy is peaceable and will get alongside effectively with varied different fish species. Since they are not education fish, they do not require a lot area, making small tanks comfy habitats.

And but, Mickey Mouse platies usually want the corporate of different members of the genus Xiphophorus. These are all livebearing fish, such because the guppies, mollies, and swordtails. Different suitable tankmates embody angels, catfish, danios, gouramis, and tetras.

Mickey Mouse Platy Habitat and Care

The Mickey Mouse platy is a terrific selection for brand spanking new aquarium house owners. Like different platys, the Mickey Mouse tolerates a variety of situations, and are appropriate for even small aquariums. They are going to graze on vegetation, so hold that in thoughts if in case you have dwell vegetation. The perfect substrate is small to medium-sized and darker in colour, which additionally serves as a great distinction to indicate off the beautiful colours of this fish.

Water situations for Mickey Mouse platies usually are not strict; nonetheless, alkaline water of average hardness is ideal, carefully resembling most metropolis faucet water. A neighborhood tank temperature of 76 to 78F is appropriate for them.

Mickey Mouse Platy Food regimen and Feeding

Of their pure habitat, these fish devour dwell meals like bugs and worms, together with vegetation. They aren’t fussy eaters and settle for virtually any meals flake, freeze-dried, frozen, and extra. Dwell meals like brine shrimp, glassworms, and bloodworms function glorious dietary supplements, with frozen or freeze-dried varieties as viable alternate options.

A various weight loss program with ample vegetable matter promotes good well being. Contemporary produce like lettuce, spinach, cooked peas, or zucchini is quickly consumed. Alternatively, use spirulina as an alternative of contemporary veggies.

Gender Variations

Mickey Mouse platies, like all livebearing fish, show sexual dimorphism, with women and men having externally seen bodily variations. Females are usually bigger and generally much less vibrantly coloured than males. Males are recognized by the gonopodium, a modified anal fin used for mating, and have a extra pointed caudal fin.

Breeding the Mickey Mouse Platy

Just like different livebearing fish, Mickey Mouse platies attain sexual maturity as early as 4 months previous, so younger fish ought to be sexed and separated promptly. Mated females retain sperm packets and can provide start a number of instances with no need to mate once more for a number of months.

As soon as mating has occurred and the eggs are fertilized, it takes about 30 days for the fry to emerge. The temperature can decelerate or velocity up the method; hotter water shortens the gestation interval. Typical broods are 40 to 60 fry which might be born free swimming.

Because the fry develop, the feminine’s stomach enlarges, and the eyes of the fry turn out to be seen by way of her stretched stomach. As birthing approaches, put together to shelter and defend the fry; in any other case, the mother and father and different tank fish could eat most, if not all, of them.

One possibility is to position the feminine in a breeding entice simply earlier than start. The entice is designed in order that fry fall by way of slits which might be too small for the mom to comply with. The draw back of that is that the small entice is unnatural and aggravating for the mom, so she should be moved effectively earlier than she begins giving start.

The higher methodology is to have a separate birthing/nursery tank that’s closely planted with effective leafed vegetation. Because the fry are born, they conceal within the vegetation. As soon as the mom has given start to all of her fry, she is eliminated.

The fry are born as absolutely shaped very tiny fish. Initially, they want very effective meals to feed upon. Freshly hatched brine shrimp are ideally suited, however liquid or powdered fry meals will function effectively. Feedings are required a number of instances per day, which signifies that particles will construct up extra rapidly within the tank, thus requiring every day water adjustments.

Extra Pet Fish Species and Additional Analysis

When you’re all for comparable species, try:

• Crimson Wagtail Platy Species Profile
• Betta Fish Species Profile

Take a look at extra fish breed profiles for extra info on different freshwater fish.