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Swordtail FishSwordtailsFamily: Poeciliidae Xiphophorous helleriiLatest Reader Comment - See More Hello, I have 2 female black swords. I was wondering if I put them in with my 3 orange male swords and 6 orange females will they breed or should I get a black male? J_H The most popular fish next to the Guppy is most certainly the Swordtail!Swordtail Fish Contents The Swordtail is similar in shape to both the Platy and the Guppy though it has a bulkier body and a "sword" extending from the bottom of the male's tail fin. Today it is often thought to be named for this "sword" shaped extension of its tail fin, but the Swordtail was actually named for the sword like appearance of the male's anal fin! A beautiful male sporting a "sword" tail is one of the most striking physical characteristic possible by any aquarium fish. Even though there is no apparent purpose for this tail, it is 1/4 to 1/3 the total length of the fish. The wild species have an even more majestic tail, with swords up to 6 inches (15 cm). Though the "sword" tail is shorter in tank bred specimens it is complimented by the wonderful colors that are now available. Like the platys, swordtails have been interbred to produce all kinds of interesting colors and different types of finnage. Some of the more common Swordtails are: Red, Red Wag, Red Tux, Painted, Neon Green, Marigold (and wag), Pineapple, Black, Red Twin bar, Sunset, and Gold Tuxedo swordtails. Extremely popular because they are one of the prettiest fish, the Swordtails are also easy to breed, fast growing and readily available.They are generally peaceful lively fish that swim in loosely grouped schools. Even though they are considered a good community fish, there are potentially many different behavior patterns and temperments. The individual fish vary from peaceful harmonious tankmates to bullies. Older males especially can tend to be aggressive toward each other and other species. Swordtails do best in a well planted tank with lots of room to swim around. Provide floating plants to protect the young as the parents often eat their fry. Like all livebearers, they do like a bit of salt though it is not necessary.
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
The Swordtails are found in Central America from the Atlantic slopes of southern Mexico to Guatamala.
There are several color varieties of the Swordtail Xiphophorous helleri as well as a variety of other Swordtails species. The original Swordtail Xiphophorous helleri the most available and the other species, though similar, are not always as large and are often more delicate.
The Spotted Swordtail was introduced as early as 1864, while the popular Green Swordtail was first introduced in 1909.
- Scientific Name: Xiphophorous hellerii
- Social Grouping: Groups - Enjoys being with other swordtails even though it is not a schooling fish.
- IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed
Swordtails come in many colors and mixtures of colors, even in wild strains, that including red, green, black and albino though the most well known is red. There are now lyretail and high-fin varieties as males have been developed with exaggerated finnage and with two swords instead of one. Even some females also now have a sword. Most crosses are between the Platy or Moonfish Xiphophorous maculatus and the Swordtail Xiphophorous helleri.
Pineapple Swordtail (female)
Xiphophorous hellerii
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Popular cross bred Swordtails:
The Green Swordtail has a green body with red and yellow along the lateral line of the sides. The Green Wagtail Swordtail is this fish crossed with a Wagtail Platy and the Green Tuxedo Wagtail Swordtail is this fish crossed with a Tuxedo Wagtail Platy.
The Red Swordtail is a Cross between the Green Swordtail and the Red Platy, sporting different shades of red and called the Brick-red Swordtail and the Velvet Red Swordtail. There is also the Red Wagtail Swordtail and the Red Tuxedo Wagtail Swordtail.
A Variegated Swordtail is a mixture of colors with no set pattern.
The Hybrid Swordtail, is the same fish as the Salt-and-Pepper Platy. No two fish are alike but contain bits of black, red, yellow, and green blotches. If they retain the "sword" then they are called a Hybrid Swordtail rather than Salt-and-Pepper Platy.
- Maximum Size: 4.5 inches (11.43 cm) - The females get up to 4.5 inches (12 cm), males are somewhat smaller at 4.0 inches (10 cm).
- Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
- Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
Since they are omnivorous the Swordtail will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a high quality flake food everyday. Feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen) or blood worms as a treat.
- Diet Type: Omnivore - This fish is an ominvore, however it appreciates a higher vegetable component in its diet. Supplementing processed foods with blanched lettuce is an excellent way to facilitate this need.
- Flake Food: Yes
- Tablet Pellet: Yes
- Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
- Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
- Meaty Food: Some of Diet
- Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day
- Water Changes: Monthly
- Minimum Tank Size: 15 gal (57 L) - Fifteen gallons could house a single individual with some company although this fish would be much happier in at least a 20 gallon tank with a few of its own kind. Generally it is best to keep a single male with a small harem of females unless the tank is large enough to house a more evenly mixed group.
- Substrate Type: Any
- Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
- Temperature: 68.0 - 82.0° F (20.0 - 27.8° C)
- Range ph: 7.0-8.3
- Hardness Range: 12 - 30 dGH
- Brackish: No - This is not a brackish fish, however it does seem to appreciate this addition of a little salt in the water. Around 1-1.25 teaspons of aquarium salt should suffice. Removed water should be replaced with salted water, however if the aquarist is topping off due to evaporation freshwater should be used.
- Water Movement: Moderate
- Water Region: Middle
They are generally considered a good community fish although they will sometimes eat their own (and other fishes) fry. Occasionally a Swordtail can become a bully, especially older males.
- Temperament: Peaceful - The males develop a distinct hierarchy. This fish, particuarly of the male gender, may become more bellicose with age. This fish can have quite extensive fins which are often too tempting for fin nippers to resist so avoid combining these fish with them altogether.
- Compatible with:
- Same species - conspecifics: Yes
- Peaceful fish (): Safe
- Semi-Aggressive: (): Threat
- Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive
Only the male has the "sword" extension on the bottom of the tail fin. The male is also slimmer and has a "sword" shaped anal fin called a gonopodium. The female has a fan shaped anal fin, is rounder of body, and will have a spawning patch at breeding time.
There is an occasional tendency for a female Swordtail to change sex and develop a "sword" on her tail, especially when old or affected by parasites. She may even attempt courtship with another female, though the majority of the time they are infertile!
The female Swordtail will generally have between 20 - 100 fry, usually up to 80. See the description of how to breed swordtails in Breeding Freshwater Fish - Livebearers.
- Ease of Propagation: Easy
The Swordtail is readily available.
Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants
Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants
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