All fish / Poeciliidae

Catemaco Platyfish

Xiphophorus milleri

Also known as catemaco platy, miller's platy, xiphophorus milleri, wild platy, クシフォフォルス・ミレリ, 米勒剑尾鱼

A small wild platyfish from the Lake Catemaco area of Mexico, with a greyish olive body, dark spotting or blotches and males showing yellowish or bluish tones. It is kept mainly by livebearer enthusiasts who want to maintain a pure, rare wild species rather than the colourful hybrid platies.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

7 to 8

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more, more females than males

Diet

Omnivore: small live and frozen foods, flakes, algae and plant matter

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 4 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Mexico: Lake Catemaco basin, Veracruz

Breeding

A livebearer that gives birth to small, fully formed fry every four weeks or so. It breeds readily in a planted tank, though broods are small and fry should have dense cover to avoid being eaten.

Good to know

Endangered in the wild with a tiny natural range, so keep it pure and do not mix with other Xiphophorus, which hybridise easily.