Swordtail Care Guide
Xiphophorus hellerii · Easy care · 20 gallon minimum
An active livebearer with a sword-tailed male; hardy and colorful but jumpers — keep a lid on.
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How big does a swordtail get?
A swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) reaches about 5.5 inches as an adult. Plan tank size and tank mates around the adult size, not the small fish you buy at the store.
Tank size & setup
Give a swordtail a minimum of 20 gallons, with water at 70–82°F and a pH of 7–8.4. Keep them in groups of at least 3 — they are shoaling fish and become stressed and washed-out alone. As a easy-care, omnivore species, a stable, cycled tank with the right diet keeps them healthiest.
Good tank mates
Pair a swordtail with peaceful species that share its temperature and pH range. Compatible options include:
- Neon Tetra — 1.5", 10g min
- Guppy — 2.0", 10g min
- Molly — 4.0", 20g min
- Platy — 2.5", 10g min
- Zebra Danio — 2.0", 10g min
About the swordtail
The green swordtail is a species of freshwater/brackish fish in family Poeciliidae of order Cyprinodontiformes. A live-bearer, it is closely related to the southern platyfish or 'platy' (X. maculatus) and can crossbreed with it. It is native to an area of North and Central America stretching from Veracruz, Mexico, to northwestern Honduras.
Recommended gear for swordtails
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