Swordtail care guide
Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) — minimum tank 75 L, temperature 22-28 °C, pH 7-8.
Overview
The Green Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) is a hardy livebearer native to Central America, with mature males developing a distinctive elongated lower caudal fin lobe — the “sword”. Many selectively bred colour and finnage varieties are available in the trade.
Taxonomy
- Family: Poeciliidae
- Genus: Xiphophorus
- Scientific name: Xiphophorus hellerii
- Common synonyms: Green Swordtail
Habitat
Wild populations occur in warm, moderately flowing streams and rivers from southern Mexico through Guatemala, Belize and Honduras, in habitats with hard, slightly alkaline water and dense vegetation.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 75 L (19.8 US gal)
- Adult size: 8-12 cm
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 7-8
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet
An omnivore. Offer a quality flake or pellet diet supplemented with vegetable matter and occasional live or frozen foods (daphnia, brine shrimp). The species also grazes on algae.
Compatibility
A peaceful community fish. Keep one male with two or more females to spread male attention. Compatible with platy, molly, peaceful tetras and Corydoras. Avoid keeping with very aggressive species or those needing very soft, acidic water.
Breeding
A prolific livebearer; females give birth to 20-80 free-swimming fry every four to six weeks. Provide floating plants or a separate nursery to improve fry survival.