Swordtails

Swordtails are one of the most popular freshwater livebearers, prized for their bright colors, active swimming, and the male’s distinctive sword-like tail extension. Hardy, lively, and easy to enjoy, they make a great choice for community aquariums and are especially appealing to aquarists looking for a colorful, energetic fish.

Scientific Name: Xiphophorus hellerii
Adult Size: 4–5 inches for males, up to 6 inches for females
Diet: Omnivore
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Temperature: 72–82°F
pH: 7.0–8.4
Temperament: Peaceful, active; males may be mildly territorial

Care & Compatibility

Swordtails do best in a well-maintained aquarium with plenty of swimming space, moderate filtration, and stable water conditions. They appreciate live or artificial plants, open areas for swimming, and some cover to help reduce stress. These fish are excellent community tank residents and pair well with other peaceful species such as mollies, platies, guppies, tetras, rasboras, and corydoras. Because males can occasionally chase one another, it is best to keep them in groups with more females than males.

Feeding

Swordtails are omnivores and thrive on a varied diet. Offer high-quality flake or pellet food as a staple, along with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. They also benefit from vegetable matter like spirulina, blanched spinach, or algae-based foods to support healthy growth and coloration.

A beautiful and unique addition for the freshwater aquarium, the Swordtail is a great choice for aquarists looking to add something special to their collection!

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