Mickey Mouse Platy

Xiphophorus maculatus var. Mickey Mouse

The Mickey Mouse Platy is the idol of children aquarists. It features a black spot at the base of the tail identical to the Mickey Mouse logo (one large circle and two small ones). The body is often golden or reddish. Like all Platys, it is a formidable and intrusive fish, but its popularity often leads to a tragic end. Sold to families for children's plastic micro-aquariums (the classic 20 liters), the Platy soon turns into a polluting factory. Giving birth to 30 fry a month, the child's small tank will become a deadly toxic swamp in a few weeks.

Family: Poeciliidae
Origin: Variante selezionata in cattività. L'antenato selvatico proviene dal Centro America (Messico, Belize, Guatemala).
Tank use: Used in 0 tanks

Temperature

20 °C - 26 °C

7 - 8

Water type

Freshwater

Tank level

All levels

Adult size

6 cm

Description

Food Constipation (The Belly Explosion Futile Deaf Mute):

Being extremely greedy omnivores, Platys eat any flake you throw in the water. But if you feed these fish only with highly proteinaceous foods, their intestine will block. The fish will swell like a ball (Dropsy), the scales will raise and it will die. You are obliged to include spirulina-based foods or blanched peas at least twice a week.

Care and observations

The Waste Factory (The 20-Liter Intoxication Futile Blind):

Do not be fooled by its size and cute logo. 4 Mickey Mouse Platys in a small tank without a mature filter will pollute the water in just 4 days. Ammonia will burn their gills and the fish will gasp desperately at the surface before suffocating. Platys need real aquariums (minimum 60 liters) with oversized filters.

Fish profile

Temperament: Vivace, pacifico ma molto invadente al momento del pasto.
Diet: Onnivoro. Pasti frequenti ma piccoli per evitare costipazione. Alghe e spirulina essenziali.
Tank level: All levels
Adult size: 6 cm
GH: 10 dGH - 25 dGH
KH: n/a
TDS: n/a
Conductivity: n/a

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

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