Swordtails

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Scientific Name: Xiphophorus hellerii
Maximum Size: 14-16cm
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Origin: Central America
Diet: Omnivores
Breeding: Live-Bearing
pH Range: 7.0-8.0

Swordtails get their name from the sword-like appearance of their tail fin, although this is only seen in the male swordtails – making it easy to identify the sex. Female Swordtails can look quite similar to Platys – the main difference being their size. Platys don’t get as big as Swordtails.

Swordtails are a great fish for a colourful addition to the tank and are easy to care for. Swordtails are best in a school of a least 4-5 fish. If you are mixing sexes, be aware that you may get inundated with fry as live bearers can reproduce fairy quickly.  They do well in a community tank with Platys, Guppys, Neon Tetras. The males can become aggressive with territory so make sure to have plenty of room.

Swordtails can be placed in outdoor ponds. It is preferable to establish them during the warm season to allow them to adjust to the colder seasons. During the cold season, some may die off but usually some will survive over Winter and breed up in Spring. There is less chance of survival if introducing them to an outdoor pond in Winter without the time to adjust.

Feeding: Swordtails eat a variety of foods including live, frozen, flakes or pellets.

Reproduction: Swordtails are livebearers, meaning they give birth to fry instead of laying eggs. Live bearers can easily overpopulate a tank especially seeing as swordtails mature from three months old and can birth between 10-60 fry per spawning. 

Gender Differences: Male Swordtails don’t get as big as females. Males reach a maximum size of 14cm whereas females reach 16cm. Telling the sex is easy because of the sword-like tail fin the males get.

Introducing Fish: Make sure you have put a Water Conditioner/Chlorine Neutraliser into your new pond before introducing fish. We suggest to not overstock a new pond with fish too soon, the water needs time to balance and age. If you have just filled the pond, you will need to wait at least a week or two before introducing fish!! Keep an eye on new fish for the first few hours after they have been released into the pond to make sure they are settling in well.