Swordtails
Xiphophorous hellerii
Helpful Information on keeping Swordtail fish.
 
The Swordtail is a very popular live bearing fish.  The Swordtail is similar in shape to both the Platy, Molly & Guppy although it has a bulkier body and a sword-like tail extending from the bottom of the male's tail fin.  A beautiful male sporting a "sword" tail is one of the most striking by any aquarium fish.  There is no apparent purpose for this tail.  Like platys, swordtails have also been interbred to produce a multitude of interesting colors and different types of fins.  Some of the more common Swordtails we farm raise here are: Red, Red Wag, Painted, Neon Green, Marigold, Pineapple, Black, Sunset, Velvet and Gold Swordtails.

These fish are extremely popular because they are one of the prettiest fish, easy to breed, fast growing and always available.  They are generally peaceful lively fish that swim in loosely grouped schools.  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 well with added aquarium salt though it is not necessary.

Tanks for Swordtails should be a minimum of 10 gallons.  Water temperature should be kept above 72 degrees.  Breeding Swordtails is not very difficult.  In a well-kept aquarium a male Swordtail will spend quite a bit of time follow females around in order to spawn with them.  Just place a male in a tank with a couple females and in about four to five weeks the female will give birth to several dozen fry.  Be prepared to provide protection to the fry though.  Mother Swordtails often try to eat the fry right after birth.  Plants and commercial breeding traps are good ways to separate fry from the mother at birth.

Swordtails are not picky eaters and will accept all types of flakes, frozen foods, small pellets and algae wafers.  Swordtails live very well with Platys and Mollies.  A Swordtail fish is a great choice for a community tank!