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Swordtail
Xiphophorus helleri
A sleek livebearer whose males trail a long sword-like tail — active, hardy, and always in motion.
3–5 in including the sword3–5 years
Habitat
Enclosure
20 gal minimum
Temperature
72–78°F
Humidity / Water
Freshwater · pH 7.0–8.0
Heating & lighting
Stable heater and good filtration; they prefer slightly alkaline water. Floating plants shelter the frequent fry.
Diet
Feed these
- Flake food
- Spirulina flakes
- Frozen brine shrimp
- Blanched vegetables
Never feed
- Overfeeding
- Cold, unheated rooms
- Feeding fry uncrushed food
Pinches once or twice a day, vegetable matter regularly. Like platies, they produce fry monthly.
Cohabitation
Can live with
Mollies Platies Guppies Neon tetras Corydoras catfish Other swordtails — 1 male per 2–3 females
Never house with
Betta — swordtails nip fins Tiger barbs Oscar
Lively livebearers that mix with other livebearers and fast community fish. One male per two or three females keeps the peace.
