The Tropical World

Swordtail

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Common name

Sword Tail Fish

Scientific name

Xiphorphorus helleri

Average Adult Fish Size
5.5 inches in length
Compatibility
The swordtail fish can make a great companion in similar cousins, such as platies, mollies, or angelfish. Peaceful types of corydoras are also great as their companions. Some larger types of tetras can be great, too, but keep them in schools of five or more to prevent possible harassment.
Place of Origin
Swordtail fish (Xiphophorus) originate from Central and Northern America. There are around 17 known species of swordtail fish with different origins.
Minimum Aquarium Capacity

10 gallon / 40 Liters

Red SwordTail
Xiphophorus-hellerii-Swordtail-Red
Red Wagtail Swordtail
Bedotia-madagascariensis-27
Berlin Swordtail
Без-имени-1-136
Black Swordtail
black swordtail
Yellow Tuxedo Swordtail
hifin-tuxedo-yellow-platy-fish
Sunset Swordtail
Sunset-Swordtail
Pineapple Swordtail
lg-39959_PineappleSwordtail
Red Tuxedo Swordtail
Swordtail-Red-Tuxedo
Red Lyretail Swordtail
Red Lyretail Swordtail
Kohaku Swordtail
kohaku
RED Comet Swordtail
red comet swardtail
Pink comet Swordtail
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Tiger Swordtail
Pair-of-Tiger-Swordtail-1
Neon Swordtail
neon swardtail
Red Hifin Swordtail
s-l500
Neon HIFIN SWORDTAIL
neon hifin
Additional Information

These fish are undoubtedly one of the most popular in the hobby. They come in a massive variety of spectacularly coloured strains. Many fish stores recommend these fish as suitable for first time fish owners. They are easy to look after, but will usually struggle with a cycling tank, and would probably die, so they should not be added to a tank until the cycle has been completed.