{"product_id":"bumble-bee-platy","title":"Bumble Bee Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) (Unsexed)","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003eBring a burst of buzzing color to your aquarium with the striking \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"1\" data-index-in-node=\"66\"\u003eBumble Bee Platy\u003c\/b\u003e! Known for its vibrant yellow body contrasted by deep black markings near the head and tail, this popular freshwater fish mimics the playful look of a bumblebee. They are incredibly hardy, peaceful, and active, making them the absolute perfect choice for both beginner hobbyists and seasoned aquarists looking to add color to a community tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"attachment-container search-images\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"image-container spark-licensed-center hide-from-message-actions ng-star-inserted\" data-full-size-image-uri=\"https:\/\/flipaquatics.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/BumblebeePlaty_4_1200x.jpg?v=1584586494\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003eQuick Care Overview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5,0,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"5,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/b\u003e Central America (Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5,1,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"5,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Easy \/ Beginner-Friendly\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5,2,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"5,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/b\u003e 10 Gallons\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5,3,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"5,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eDiet:\u003c\/b\u003e Omnivore (Flakes, pellets, and live\/frozen foods)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5,4,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"5,4,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eWater Temperature:\u003c\/b\u003e 70°F to 77°F (21°C to 25°C)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5,5,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"5,5,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eWater pH:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.0 – 8.2 (Prefers hard, alkaline water)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5,6,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"5,6,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/b\u003e Peaceful Community Fish\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-path-to-node=\"7\"\u003eFull Product Details \u0026amp; Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"8\"\u003eEnvironment \u0026amp; Ideal Tank Setup\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"9\"\u003eIn the wild, platies inhabit slow-moving rivers, canals, and warm springs. To recreate their natural habitat, provide a well-planted aquarium with plenty of live plants like Java Fern, Anubias, or Amazon Swords. These plants offer excellent hiding spots and security. Use a reliable aquarium filter to keep the water clean, but ensure the current is not overly harsh, as they prefer calmer waters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"10\"\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"11\"\u003eA minimum of a \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"11\" data-index-in-node=\"15\"\u003e10-gallon tank\u003c\/b\u003e is required for a small group of Bumble Bee Platies. If you plan to keep a larger community with multiple fish species, a 20-gallon tank or larger is highly recommended to give them ample swimming space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"12\"\u003eFeeding \u0026amp; Nutrition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"13\"\u003eBumble Bee Platies are unfussy omnivores and enthusiastic eaters. For optimal health and to enhance their striking yellow coloration, feed them a high-quality varied diet. This should include premium tropical flake food or micro-pellets as their daily staple, supplemented with frozen or live foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia. They also appreciate vegetable matter, often grazing on natural algae within the tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"14\"\u003ePeaceful Tank Mates\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"15\"\u003eBecause of their gentle and social temperament, Bumble Bee Platies excel in peaceful community aquariums. Excellent tank mates include other small, non-aggressive species such as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"16\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"16,0,0\"\u003eTetras (Neon, Ember, or Rummy Nose)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"16,1,0\"\u003eGuppies and Mollies\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"16,2,0\"\u003eCorydoras Catfish and Otocinclus\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"16,3,0\"\u003eHarlequin Rasboras\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"16,4,0\"\u003ePeaceful invertebrates like Cherry Shrimp and Mystery Snails\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cblockquote data-path-to-node=\"17\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"17,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"17,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eNote:\u003c\/b\u003e Avoid housing them with large or aggressive predatory fish (like Cichlids or Oscars) that might view them as a snack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"18\"\u003eBreeding Bumble Bee Platies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"19\"\u003eLike all platies, the Bumble Bee Platy is a \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"19\" data-index-in-node=\"44\"\u003elivebearer\u003c\/b\u003e, meaning females give birth to free-swimming, fully formed fry rather than laying eggs. They breed readily in home aquariums. If you want to successfully raise the fry, it is best to keep a ratio of two or three females for every one male to reduce stress on the females. Provide dense floating plants (like Guppy Grass or Hornwort) or use a separate breeding box to protect the newborn fry from adult fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe photos shown on fish product pages are representations of adult fish and are NOT the actual fish that you will be receiving.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlease visit our “Ordering\/Shipping fish” page prior to checking out to familiarize yourself with our process.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe ship fish exclusively using overnight shipping with either FedEx or UPS. We will not ship fish with lesser expensive shipping services like “Ground” or “Priority Mail”. This is to ensure the safety of the fish.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eUnless specified, all fish are sold as unsexed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"KGTropicals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41291541807168,"sku":null,"price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1478\/2240\/files\/InstagramPost-11_51012c76-bd2e-47e0-b46f-66548c002986.png?v=1783786197","url":"https:\/\/keepfishkeeping.com\/products\/bumble-bee-platy","provider":"KGTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}