Tank Size~
Platies, topping off at around 1 1/2 inches, are well siuted for a 10 gallon tank. Having mever kept Platies before, I would say like the Guppy, if you were to keep just Platies, 5 in a 10 gallon would be fine.
*Note* It seems there are have Platies that have reached around 3 inches. I have never kept Platies, or seen them out side of a fish store, so... lol
Feeding~
As far as I know, Platies are not picky. They will eating you put in the tank with out a second thought. Always remember to mix it up.
Tank Mates~
Platies are so peaceful that I cant think of anything not to keep with them, other then Cichlids or something LOL As long as its not too aggressive, and not big enough to eat the Platy, it should be fine. Always do your homework, and research before buying a fish.
Males will fight with eachother over females if there are not enough, so always have atleast 2 females for every male. Male only tanks do not seem to be a good choice for these guys.
Decor~
Platies, like all fish, enjoy having plants, logs, and caves to hide and play in. Females will also use these places to get away from harrasing males, and take a break for a while. Get what ever pleases your eye, as they seem not to care, but perhaps try to keep it practical lol
Fry Care~
Female Platies can store sperm in their bodies and use it multiple times to get themselves pregnant. That said, females only have to mate one time, and they can continue to have fry for a few months. Pregnancy lasts for about 30 days, and the fry are automaticaly concidered food by every other fish in the tank, besides the female dropping them (that is, untill she's done!). The best way to save the fry is to get a breeders net, breeders trap, or have an extra cycled tank set up to put the momma Platy into while she is dropping. If you put her in too soon, she may stress out, and prolong the due date. New born fry will tank anything you give them, as long as it fits in their mouths. Crushed flakes are the easiest to feed, but some feed Baby Brine Shrimp, and other small, live foods. I find that fry grow the best on a high protien diet, so I give my Guppy fry alot of BettaMin and Omega One Betta Buffet Flakes, along with Omega One Freshwater Flakes, and a few other things. Fry also seem to de well on Hikari Fancy Guppy food, crushed up to a powder.
NOTE: Platies can interbreed with Swordstails
