{"product_id":"black-marble-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","title":"Black Marble Swordtail | Xiphophorus hellerii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Black Marble Swordtail is a bold, active livebearer marbled in dark ink over a bright base, with mature males trailing the long, colourful 'sword' from the lower tail that gives the fish its name. Hardy, peaceful and quick to breed, swordtails are a community classic that bring constant movement and colour. They grow larger than many livebearers, to around 14cm including the sword.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eXiphophorus hellerii is native to fast-flowing streams, rivers and warm springs of Central America, from Mexico through to Honduras, in hard, mineral-rich, well-oxygenated water among dense vegetation. It is a strong, athletic swimmer used to a current.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA robust, elongate livebearer marked with dark marbling. Males develop the distinctive sword extension on the tail and reach around 10-14cm including it; females are fuller-bodied, lack the sword and can grow slightly longer overall. Colour and pattern vary from fish to fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGenerally peaceful and sociable, though males can be boisterous and will spar with one another, so keep either a single male or several with a good number of females to spread attention. An excellent, energetic addition to a spacious community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore with a healthy appetite for algae and vegetable matter. Feed a quality flake or pellet as a staple, plenty of vegetable-based food and algae wafers, plus brine shrimp and daphnia as treats. A varied diet keeps them colourful and active.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a tank of at least 80 litres with hard, neutral-to-alkaline water at 22-28°C, good filtration and some current, as swordtails are active swimmers. A secure lid is important because males in particular are accomplished jumpers. Otherwise hardy and undemanding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExtremely easy. Females are livebearers that produce sizeable broods of well-developed fry every few weeks once mated. Provide dense planting so some fry survive, or move gravid females to a breeding tank to raise them in numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eXiphophorus hellerii\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack Marble Swordtail\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral America (Mexico to Honduras)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 14cm (males incl. sword; females fuller-bodied)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (community), males boisterous\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e80 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22-28°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.0-8.2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10-30 dGH (hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpacious community and livebearer tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlaties, mollies, guppies, peaceful barbs, larger tetras, rainbowfish, Corydoras and bristlenose catfish. Ideal in an active, hard-water community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlow, long-finned fish that boisterous males may harass, and aggressive or much larger fish. Keeping several males in a small tank leads to persistent chasing, so give them space and plenty of females.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232792199459,"sku":null,"price":6.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232792232227,"sku":"BA8194","price":8.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232792264995,"sku":null,"price":13.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Black_Marble_Swordtail_6cd72045-afc9-4ffe-b7f7-95417000561e.jpg?v=1781698013","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/black-marble-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}