Remarks: A perfect starter fish! Swordtails (Xiphophorus hellerii) are peaceful community fish that reproduce with ease. They are livebearers, meaning the females release live fry rather than laying eggs. It is recommended to keep more females than males, as males can easily harass females with relentless attempts to reproduce, leading to stress in the females. Dominant males will begin developing swords and a modified anal fin, called a gonopodium, around 1-1.5" in length. However, it is not uncommon for less dominant males to maintain the physical appearance of a female until much later in life (even as large as 4"!)

Scientific Name: Xiphophorus hellerii

Common Name: Black Swordtail

Max Size: 5.5"

pH: 7.0-8.0

Hardness: Moderate

Temperature: 60-80°

Aggressiveness: Peaceful

Region of Origin: Central America

Captive Bred or Wild: Captive Bred

Diet: Small flake or pellet, small frozen or live foods

Compatibility: Schooling fish, livebearers, rainbowfish, dwarf cichlids, peaceful cichlids under 5", invertebrates, Loricariids.

Tank Mate Options:

• Tuxedo Swordtail
• Red Wag Platy
• Chocolate Bushynose Pleco