Swordtail

Swordtail Fish or Xiphophorus hellerii is a highly popular freshwater fish that is highly valued for its brilliant color, energetic swimming, and typical swordtail in the male. It is a livebearer and is part of the same family as platies and guppies and is being exported as a top favorite with every aquarist.

Swordtails are robust, resilient, and schooling fish and can survive in community aquariums provided that correct conditions are fulfilled. Swordtails are peaceful and fascinating to observe and have a fantastic courtship display.

History of the Swordtail Fish

Swordtails originated in Central America, i.e., Mexican, Belizean, and Honduran rivers and streams. Swordtails inhabit warm, slow-moving water with plenty of cover, food, and vegetation in their natural habitat.

Their resistance to conditions of fluctuating water has made them become one of the most kept and marketed aquarium fish around the world.

Temperament of Swordtail Fish

Swordtails are friendly and interactive and thus, they are perfectly adapted for community tanks. Males may at times be mildly aggressive towards females or territory. Keeping a male with two or more females assists in relaxing the tension.

They are also swimmers and prefer open space and will play among their own kind for the most part without any destruction.

Compatibility of Swordtail Fish with Other Fish

Swordtails can get along with other peaceful, live-bearers, and community fishes.

Their good tankmates are:

1. Guppies
2. Mollies
3. Platies
4. Corydoras catfish
5. Tetras
6. Dwarf Gouramis

Do not keep them with any combative fishes like barbs or huge cichlids.

Price Range of the Swordtail Fish

Swordtails are economical and readily available. They sell for ₹100–₹400 ($2–$6) in India based on size, number of colours, and finnage. Red, green, pineapple, and lyretail swordtails are the colour types.