Blue Mickey Mouse Platy

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 2"
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons   • Water Conditions: 64-78° F, KH 10-25, pH 7.0-8.2
• Diet: Omnivore   • Origin: Selective breeding   • Family: Poeciliidae
• Species: Platy   • Aquarium Type: Community

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The Blue Mickey Mouse Platy is a selectively bred color variant of the more common red and orange Platy fish of Central America. Through many years of selective breeding, fish breeders have been able to isolate the small amount of sapphire blue found in the Rainbow Platy. The results are a beautifully sapphire blue colored Platy species. Blue Mickey Mouse Platy also exhibit a unique color pattern near their anal fin that resembles the round face and ear pattern commonly associated with the Mickey Mouse cartoon character.

Specimens vary in color from a light blue hue over a more silver body, to specimens that exhibit a dark sapphire blue color from head to tail. Despite their selective breeding origins, Blue Mickey Mouse Platy are still extremely hardy fish that are well suited for beginning aquarium hobbyists and hobbyists with smaller aquariums.

Blue Mickey Mouse Platy are ideal for beginning aquarium hobbyists as they have very modest aquarium requirements and are tolerant of a variety of water parameters. They will do well in aquariums that are 10 gallons or larger, with stable water conditions and modest filtration. They prefer calm waters and plenty of plants and driftwood in which to swim in and around. Blue Mickey Mouse Platy should be kept with hardy plants like anubias, java ferns or java moss if kept within a smaller aquarium, as they will eat the leaves of more delicate plant species.

If kept within larger aquariums that are well planted, the Blue Mickey Mouse Platy should not cause too much damage to delicate plant species as they will mostly eat prepared foods and only occasionally graze on plants and algae. They do well with a wide variety of tank mates and can be kept with most any tropical community fish species and larger freshwater invertebrates that are too large to eat.

As an omnivore the Blue Mickey Mouse Platy will eat a wide variety of foodstuffs ranging from plant matter to insects. They will pick at algae and certain plant species found within the aquarium. In the aquarium environment they should be fed a varied diet that contains quality prepared foods including: flake, freeze-dried and frozen. Tubifex, bloodworms and brine shrimp can be fed as treats or mixed with a quality flake food. Overall this species is not a picky eater and will readily consume a wide variety of foods.

As a live bearer species, the Blue Mickey Mouse Platy is capable of reproducing at a about three to four months of age. Live bearing fish species are known for being prolific breeders, producing offspring frequently. Hobbyists can determine the sex of the Blue Mickey Mouse Platy through both the size and coloration of the fish.

Males are smaller and more brightly colored than females, and can be distinguished by the its anal fin or gonopodium. Platy fry typically only need some dense plant growth or plastic "baby trap" style plants and crushed flake foods to make it to maturity. Overall a very easy species to breed.