All fish / Poeciliidae

Muzquiz platyfish

Xiphophorus meyeri

Also known as marbled swordtail, muzquiz platy, northern platy, marbled platy, meyer's platy

This is a small, slim platyfish with a silvery olive body. Many fish carry irregular black spotting or marbling, which explains the trade name, and males have no sword. Hobbyists and conservation breeders keep it because it is a rare, threatened wild species from a single spring system in northern Mexico.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

3.5 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

7 to 8

Smallest tank

54 litres

Keep as

Small group with more females than males, e.g. 1 male to 2 or 3 females

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes, algae and vegetable foods, small live or frozen foods such as daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Mexico: Coahuila, around Melchor Múzquiz (Río Nadadores drainage)

Breeding

Like other livebearers, the female gives birth to live young after internal fertilisation. Broods are small and the species breeds less freely than the common parrot platy, so dense plants or a separate rearing tank help the fry survive.

Good to know

The wild population is endangered and has a very small range, so only buy captive-bred stock and keep the line pure rather than crossing it with other platies or swordtails. The 'swordtail' label is misleading because males do not grow a sword.