{"product_id":"black-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","title":"Black Swordtail | Xiphophorus hellerii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Black Swordtail is a bold, glossy all-black form of the classic community livebearer, with mature males trailing the distinctive elongated 'sword' from the lower tail. Active, hardy and quick to breed, swordtails bring constant movement and easy charm to a community tank. Adult males reach around 14cm including the sword, so they appreciate room to cruise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eXiphophorus hellerii is native to Central America, from Mexico through to Honduras, where it lives in flowing rivers, springs and vegetated streams. These are typically hard, mineral-rich, neutral to alkaline waters with plenty of plant cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA robust, torpedo-shaped livebearer in a deep, uniform black. Males are slimmer and develop the trademark sword extension on the lower caudal fin, along with a gonopodium; females are fuller-bodied and lack the sword. Selective breeding gives this variety its rich dark colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGenerally peaceful and well suited to community life, though mature males can be feisty and will spar over territory and females. Keeping a group with more females than males spreads out any chasing. They mix happily with most similarly-sized peaceful fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore with a healthy appetite for vegetable matter. Feed a quality flake or pellet with a good algae or spirulina content, and supplement with frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Some vegetable matter and grazing on algae keeps them in top condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEasy and hardy in hard, neutral to alkaline water with good filtration and steady flow. Provide a small-to-medium planted tank with open swimming space and a secure lid, as swordtails are accomplished jumpers. They breed readily, so expect a steady supply of fry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA prolific livebearer that needs no encouragement. Females give birth to broods of live, free-swimming young every few weeks. Provide dense planting or a breeding trap to give fry cover, as adults will predate them. Males develop their swords as they mature.\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 Swordtail\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral America (Mexico to Honduras) - captive-bred strain\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 12-14cm (males, including sword)\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 can be feisty)\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\u003e75 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 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\u003e7.0-8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9-19 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\u003eHard-water community aquariums\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\u003eOther hard-water community fish such as platies, mollies, guppies, peaceful barbs, rainbowfish, Corydoras and peaceful larger tetras. Keep more females than males to reduce sparring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlow, timid or long-finned fish that active males may harass, fin-nippers, and large aggressive cichlids. Avoid keeping several males in a small tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232791576867,"sku":null,"price":6.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232791609635,"sku":"BA8193","price":8.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232791642403,"sku":null,"price":13.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Black_Swordtail_76506eaa-0ed6-4f9b-92f6-5ba3edef2e2b.jpg?v=1781698015","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/black-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}