Author: (Günther, 1866)
FBname: Southern platyfish
Comments: Adults occur in warm springs, canals and ditches with typically slow-moving water, silt bottoms and weedy banks  (Refs. 5723; 44091, 44894).  Also inhabit creeks and swamps (Ref. 44894).  Feed on worms, crustaceans, insects and plant matter (Refs. 7020; 44091).  Used for genetic research (Ref. 4537).  Several color varieties are popular aquarium fishes, where they attain sexual maturity after 3-4 months and reproduce easily (Ref. 1672).  Aquarium keeping:  minimum aquarium size 60 cm (Ref. 51539).