Swortails
Swortails

Mixed Swordtails - Xiphophorus hellerii 2-3cm

from £3.00

The Xiphophorus hellerii, commonly known as the Swordtail, is a striking and popular livebearer native to Central America, particularly Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, where they inhabit rivers, streams, and springs with moderate water flow.

The species is instantly recognisable by the male's distinctive sword-like extension of the lower caudal fin rays, which can add an additional 5-8 centimetres to their overall length.

Males typically reach 10-12 centimetres including the sword, whilst females grow slightly larger but lack this characteristic extension.

Through selective breeding, Swordtails are now available in a spectacular array of colours including red, orange, black, pineapple, koi, and various combinations, often with additional features such as lyretails or high-fin varieties.

Their active swimming behaviour and elegant appearance make them eye-catching centrepieces in community aquariums.

Generally peaceful and sociable, Swordtails do well in groups, though it's advisable to keep one male with multiple females (ideally at a 1:3 ratio) as males can be pushy during breeding pursuits and occasionally territorial with each other, particularly in smaller aquariums. T

hey're compatible with a wide range of similarly sized, peaceful community fish including tetras, platies, corydoras, and barbs.

As livebearers, they reproduce readily in well-maintained conditions, giving birth to free-swimming fry that will survive in planted aquariums with adequate cover.

These omnivorous fish thrive on quality flakes or pellets supplemented with vegetable matter such as spirulina, blanched vegetables, and occasional frozen foods like bloodworms or brine shrimp.

They appreciate well-planted aquariums with open swimming space, moderate water flow, and prefer slightly alkaline to neutral water with moderate hardness.

With proper care including regular water changes and varied diet, Swordtails typically live 3-5 years, making them excellent, active additions for aquarists of all levels seeking colourful, easy-to-maintain community fish.

Qty:

The Xiphophorus hellerii, commonly known as the Swordtail, is a striking and popular livebearer native to Central America, particularly Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, where they inhabit rivers, streams, and springs with moderate water flow.

The species is instantly recognisable by the male's distinctive sword-like extension of the lower caudal fin rays, which can add an additional 5-8 centimetres to their overall length.

Males typically reach 10-12 centimetres including the sword, whilst females grow slightly larger but lack this characteristic extension.

Through selective breeding, Swordtails are now available in a spectacular array of colours including red, orange, black, pineapple, koi, and various combinations, often with additional features such as lyretails or high-fin varieties.

Their active swimming behaviour and elegant appearance make them eye-catching centrepieces in community aquariums.

Generally peaceful and sociable, Swordtails do well in groups, though it's advisable to keep one male with multiple females (ideally at a 1:3 ratio) as males can be pushy during breeding pursuits and occasionally territorial with each other, particularly in smaller aquariums. T

hey're compatible with a wide range of similarly sized, peaceful community fish including tetras, platies, corydoras, and barbs.

As livebearers, they reproduce readily in well-maintained conditions, giving birth to free-swimming fry that will survive in planted aquariums with adequate cover.

These omnivorous fish thrive on quality flakes or pellets supplemented with vegetable matter such as spirulina, blanched vegetables, and occasional frozen foods like bloodworms or brine shrimp.

They appreciate well-planted aquariums with open swimming space, moderate water flow, and prefer slightly alkaline to neutral water with moderate hardness.

With proper care including regular water changes and varied diet, Swordtails typically live 3-5 years, making them excellent, active additions for aquarists of all levels seeking colourful, easy-to-maintain community fish.

Scientific name: Xiphophorus hellerii

Common name: Swordtail

Adult Size: Males: 2.5 to 3.5 inches (6.4 to 8.9 cm), Females: 2.5 to 4 inches (6.4 to 10.2 cm)

Temperature Range: 70 to 82°F (21 to 28°C)

pH Range: 7.0 to 8.0

Compatibility: Generally peaceful, but males can be slightly aggressive towards each other

Minimum Tank Size: 60 liters, but a larger tank is better for a group

Originates from: Central America, specifically Mexico and Guatemala

Ideal Substrate: Fine sand or small, smooth gravel

Ideal Tank Mates Suggestions: Peaceful fish such as Tetras, Guppies, Platies, Mollies, and other small, community fish

Fish to avoid: Aggressive or large fish that might see the Swordtail as food

Diet: Omnivorous; they will eat a variety of foods including flake food, live food, and algae

Breeding: Swordtails are livebearers and are known for their ease of breeding. Females can give birth to up to 80 fry at a time. Providing dense plants or a breeding box can help protect the fry from being eaten by adult fish.