Marigold Variatus

One of the farm raised color morphs of the wild type Xiphophorus variatus, originally found in southern Mexico by Meek in 1904. A member of the Livebearer group, this peaceful fish has distinctive sexual features. Males will have a tubular shaped anal fin, called the gonopodium. Females will have a fan shaped anal fin. Males sometimes will have larger dorsal fins, but not always. While the babies develop, there will be a dark patch located behind the stomach of the female, very noticeable on lighter body colors. The Variatus is generally more elongated than its close cousin the Platy, and many color morphs available today are a cross between the two. The Variatus will prefer a densely planted tank and can be kept in pairs or groups. They will generally hover near some cover, coming out to eat. As an herbivore, plant based foods should be part of their diet, though they will eat most all prepared foods for the aquarium. Growing to about 2 inches in length, these livebearers can be kept with almost all small to medium community fish. The live babies are generally released by the female in the early morning and will seek cover in the plants. Parents will generally leave them alone, but possibly might decide to eat the babies. The babies can be fed a standard flake food that has been ground into dust. Most females will have between 10 to 30 babies at a time. The Marigold Variatus has a solid marigold body and fins.

Approximate arrival size of Marigold Variatus: 1.5-3".