Swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
Poeciliidae
About
The swordtail is a lively, robust livebearer from Central America, named for the elongated lower tail lobe (the 'sword') carried by mature males. Wild fish are green-flanked with a red lateral stripe, while aquarium strains offer red, orange, black, pineapple and lyretail forms. Larger and more energetic than platies, swordtails are strong swimmers and accomplished jumpers, so a long, well-covered tank is essential. Males can be scrappy with one another, so keep a single male or a female-dominant group to spread aggression.
Care
Provide a long, covered 90 cm+ tank with hard, neutral-to-alkaline water 22-28°C. Keep one male or several females per male; strong swimmers and jumpers.
Diet
Omnivore; varied flake/pellet with vegetable matter plus live/frozen protein.
Tankmate compatibility
Gets along with (15)
Possible with care (19)
Avoid (7)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.