{"product_id":"assorted-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","title":"Assorted Swordtail | Xiphophorus hellerii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBold, active and hardy, the Swordtail is a community classic in which mature males trail a long, colourful 'sword' from the lower edge of the tail. Peaceful, lively and quick to breed, it is as easy to keep as it is eye-catching. This assorted listing offers a mix of colours, and at around 10–14 cm (including the male's sword) it makes a spirited addition to a roomy community.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eXiphophorus hellerii is native to the fast, warm, well-vegetated streams and rivers of Central America, from Mexico to Honduras, where the water is typically hard and slightly alkaline. It is an active swimmer that appreciates flow and open space. A warm, planted tank with hard water and room to move suits it well.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA robust, elongated livebearer, the male finished with the distinctive sword extending from the lower tail. This assorted group comes in a range of colours — red, green, pineapple, tuxedo and wagtail among them. Males are slimmer with the sword and a gonopodium; females are fuller-bodied and larger. Colour and the sword develop as males mature.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful and sociable but active, and dominant males can spar with one another or pester females, so keep either a single male or a group with several females per male. It mixes well with other livebearers and robust, similarly active community fish that share its hard, warm water. Very timid or long-finned tankmates are less suitable.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that takes quality flake and pellets readily, and benefits from vegetable matter, algae and occasional frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. A varied diet with some greens keeps swordtails colourful and in good condition.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 75 L, with a longer tank preferred for these active swimmers, and a secure lid as they can jump. Keep temperature at 22–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.2 and moderately hard to hard water, around GH 10–30. They are hardy and forgiving but appreciate stable water and regular changes. Plant safe and a good grazer of soft algae.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA prolific livebearer that breeds with ease. Females deliver broods of fully formed, free-swimming fry every four to six weeks. Provide dense planting or a breeding box, as adults will eat fry; the young grow quickly on crushed flake and baby brine shrimp, and mixed groups soon build a self-sustaining population.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eXiphophorus hellerii\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSwordtail (assorted)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral America (Mexico to Honduras)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 10–14 cm (males including sword; females fuller-bodied)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (community)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore: flake, pellets, vegetables, algae, frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.0–8.2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to hard, around 10–30 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard-water community and planted aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other livebearers such as platies, mollies and guppies, plus peaceful, robust community fish like rainbowfish, larger tetras, corydoras and peaceful barbs.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with fin-nippers, very timid or long-finned fish, and soft-water species that need acidic conditions. Avoid soft, acidic water and an open-topped tank, as they jump.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232789250339,"sku":null,"price":6.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232789283107,"sku":"AA1442","price":8.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232789315875,"sku":null,"price":13.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Assorted_Swordtail_45d744eb-b75f-4937-a611-da95375f7bab.jpg?v=1781698012","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/assorted-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}