Swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
Family: Poeciliidae • Origin: Central America
Swordtails are named for the male's distinctive elongated lower tail fin. Hardy, active, and available in many color varieties.
Min Tank
20 gal
Max Size
5.5"
Temperature
72-82°F
pH
7-8.5
Lifespan
4 years
School Size
3+
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
12-25 dGH
peacefulbeginneromnivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Males have the signature sword tail
- • Keep 1 male to 2-3 females
- • Good jumper — secure lid needed
- • Prefers hard alkaline water
- • Larger than platies — need 20+ gal
Feeding: Flakes, pellets, algae, vegetables. Unfussy.
Compatibility Notes: Peaceful but males can spar. Keep one male to 2-3 females. Good jumper — needs a lid.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 30 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
- Minimum School Size
- 3+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 72–82°F
- pH Range
- 7–8.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 12–25
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 2/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- fast
Peaceful but males can spar. Keep one male to 2-3 females. Good jumper — needs a lid.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- live bearer
- Breeding Difficulty
- easy
- Lifespan
- 4 years
Ideal For
20 galloncommunitybeginners
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
70-82°FpH 6-7.515+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+3"
Congo Tetra
Phenacogrammus interruptus
75-81°FpH 6-7.530+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+3.5"
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
72-82°FpH 6.8-7.810+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+2.5"
Endler's Livebearer
Poecilia wingei
72-82°FpH 6.5-85+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+1.5"
Similar Species
Platy
Xiphophorus maculatus
70-80°FpH 7-810+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+3"
Molly
Poecilia sphenops
72-82°FpH 7-8.520+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+4.5"
Balloon Molly
Poecilia sphenops var.
72-82°FpH 7-8.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+3"
Variatus Platy
Xiphophorus variatus
68-77°FpH 7-810+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+2.5"