Platy Biotope

My platies (unsurprisingly) are breeding. At the moment I have 8 fry from 3 different lots in breeder nets. The oldest 2 are in a 5 gallon. They are big enough to go in the big tank if it wasn't for the dojo loaches. I would like to set up a 10-15 gallon tank to grow them out in and have a platy biotope. I've done some research but I've found surprisingly mixed info about their natural habitat.

So my questions are
1. What does their natural habitat look like?
2. Fast flowing or still water?
3. Rocks, driftwood or both?
4. What type of plants? Densely or lightly planted?
5. Any tankmates? (they will be large enough for most small fish to not eat them)

Thanks everyone

 

What does their natural habitat look like?

Platys lives mainly in the ditches, marshy land, canals.

Fast flowing or still water?

They like moderate current.

Rocks, driftwood or both?

Gravel substrates are best for them.

What type of plants? Densely or lightly planted?

All plants are suitable with platy. Some are-water wisteria, java fern, java moss, anubias, water sprite, etc.
They prefer densely planted tank.

Any tankmates?

Mollys, Guppys, Corydoras, Tetras, rtc.

 

Thanks for the reply.

I meant what type of plants and tank mates would be in their natural habitat.

 

Thanks for the reply.

I meant what type of plants and tank mates would be in their natural habitat.

Platys are from Mexico and central America. I am not sure of the plants in their waters of origin. In our live bearer tank we have mollies, swords, 1 female betta and platies. The only plants are java ferns and Anubis because of the salt in there for the mollies. There are corys, nerite snails and a BN also.

 

Lots of info here. Check out "Central American Viviparous Biotope".

 

Sounds like a fun tank, platies are one of my 2 favorite fish to keep. Not exactly from the same area, but some colorful platies and a school of glowlight tetras would look cool in a planted tank.

 

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