RED SWORDTAIL
- RM0.00
Swordtail fish are a lovely and popular freshwater species in the aquarium community. Due to their beauty and low-maintenance nature, these fish make great choices for beginners (or experts who don’t want any hassle).
Swordtail fish (Xiphophorus helleri) are an ever-popular freshwater species that come from North and Central America. They belong to the Poeciliidae family and are closely related to other common fish like the platy and guppy. Like others in the Poeciliidae family, these fish are prolific livebearers who are more than willing to spawn in captivity (more on that later).
Lifespan
The average swordtail fish lifespan is around three to five years. Fish kept in the best and most stable living conditions tend to live longer.
Average Size
These are medium-sized freshwater fish. The average swordtail fish size is around 5.5 inches in length when fully grown.
Tank Size
The first thing to consider is the size of the aquarium. Some aquarists have seen success keeping swordtail fish in freshwater tanks that hold as little as 10 gallons.
However, most recommend starting with a minimum of 15 gallons. These fish are fairly active, and the extra space will do them good.
Now, keep in mind that a 15-gallon tank is best for a single swordtail fish. Chances are, you’re going to keep a small group! Larger groups are better for their social development (more on that later).
If that’s the case, aim for a 30-gallon aquarium or larger. Larger tanks are always better for groups or if you’re planning on keeping a bunch of community fish together.
Water Parameters
The natural distribution of the swordtail in the wild is surprisingly broad. Generally, these freshwater fish live in warm streams and rivers with tons of vegetation. While they come from many places in North and Central America, they’re most prevalent in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico.
This adaptive lifestyle is partly why swordtail fish care is such a simple task. You have a generous range of conditions with ample wiggle room to get things just right!
- Water temperature: 65°F to 82°F (75 to 79 degrees seems to be the sweet spot)
- pH levels: 7.0 to 8.4 (slightly alkaline)
- Water hardness: 12 to 35 dGH (very hard)
Food & Diet
Swordtail fish are natural omnivores that eat just about anything in the wild. Bug larvae, plant detritus, and tiny microorganisms are usually the name of the game.
Swordtail fish do best with a varied diet of commercial food and occasional high-protein snacks in an aquarium setting. Stick to nutrient-rich flakes or pellets. To provide some plant-based cuisine, offer up algae wafers every once in a while.
These fish appreciate live, frozen, and freeze-dried foods as well. Brine shrimp, daphnia, blooedworms, and all the usual high-protein snacks all work.
Juveniles should have a little more protein than usual. They require lots of protein-based foods to grow.
For both adults and juveniles, two or three small meals a day is ideal. Provide enough food for your fish to eat in two minutes during each feeding. If there are any leftovers, sift them out to avoid ruining the water conditions.
Tank Mates
Swordtail fish get along with most like-minded species. They’re peaceful and passive.
The best course of action is to house them with common social fish. Here are some excellent species worth considering for swordtail fish tank mates:
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