Platys–Factsheet

Common Name: Platy

Scientific Name: Xiphophorus maculatus

Native Range: Northern South America from western Venezuela to Guyana

Size: Males: 2.5 cms; Females up to 6 cms

Food: Platys eat a wide range of foods.  From home made grain based food to flaked foods.  They can also eat Daphnia, bloodworms and Brine Shrimp

Life Expectance: 2 to 3 years

Temperament: Peaceful

pH: 6 to 8

Temperature : Platies are tropical fish.  The recommended temperature range is 24 to 28 degrees Celsius.

Reproduction: Viviparous (Live bearers)

Sexing: Male platies have a modified anal fin known as the gonopodium.  This organ is used to transfer the sperm to the female during mating.

Gold Fish – Factsheet

Common Name: Gold Fish

Scientific Name: Carassius auratus

Native Range: Eastern Asia (China and adjoining regions)

Size: 4 to 6 cms (average).  Some individuals may grow up 1 foot.  Gold fish raised in ponds will tend to be larger than those raised in tanks

Food: Gold fish are omnivores, eating both plant and vegetable matter. Hence are easy to feed.  Overfeeding may result in constipation.  Adequate fibre content in the food is essential. 
Blanched vegetables, bloodworms and shelled peas and brine shrimps are common foods

Life Expectance: 20 years

Temperament: Peaceful

pH: 7.2 to 7.6

Temperature : Goldfish are cold water.  They thrive at temperatures between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius.  They are however hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures as long as the temperature change is gradual.

Reproduction : Oviparous (Egg laying)

Why do some Goldfish Change Color ?

Gold fish sometimes change color.  Color change in goldfish can be caused b a host of factors.

Genetics may influence color change.  Some goldfish change color over the course of their lifetimes.  This has to simple do with their genes.

Lighting: The amount of lighting also has to do with color.  Goldfish which are kept in brightly lit aquariums will have brighter colors than those who live in poorly lit aquariums.

Food:  Color enhancers are natural substances which are present in nature.  Aquarium foods which contains color enhancers can help your goldfish have a bright color.    Carotenoid is an example of a natural color enhancer.

Disease: Sometimes, color change can also be due to disease or an infection.  Curing this will help your fish regain the original color.