{"product_id":"golden-sunrise-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","title":"Golden Sunrise Swordtail | Xiphophorus hellerii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Golden Sunrise Swordtail is a warm orange-gold livebearer and a community classic — bold, active and wonderfully hardy. Mature males trail a long, colourful \"sword\" from the lower tail. Reaching around 14 cm including the sword, it is peaceful, quick to breed and as easy to keep as it is eye-catching.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Swordtail is native to the fast, vegetated streams and rivers of Central America, from Mexico down to Honduras. These are hard, mineral-rich, often flowing waters, which is why swordtails do best in neutral to alkaline, moderately hard aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA robust, streamlined livebearer; this cultivated strain glows a warm gold to sunrise-orange. Mature males develop the signature elongated lower tail \"sword\", while females are larger, fuller-bodied and lack the sword. Including the sword, males reach roughly 12–14 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGenerally peaceful and lively, though males can be boisterous and will spar with one another, so keep one male with several females or provide plenty of space. It is an excellent, energetic community fish that appreciates room to swim.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn easy omnivore with an appetite for greens. Feed a quality flake or pellet as the staple, with vegetable matter and algae-based foods plus frozen and live treats such as brine shrimp, daphnia and bloodworm. Grazing on some algae keeps it in good condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eVery hardy and beginner-friendly. Provide neutral to alkaline, moderately hard water, open swimming space, some planting and a secure lid, as swordtails are notable jumpers. Good filtration and regular water changes keep this active fish thriving.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA prolific livebearer that breeds readily with no intervention. Females give birth to broods of free-swimming fry every four to six weeks; provide dense planting or a breeding trap to give the young cover, as adults will predate them. Mixed-sex groups will multiply quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\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\u003eGolden Sunrise 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\u003e12–14 cm (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 spar)\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\u003e90 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110+ litres\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\u003e12–30 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\u003eActive, hard-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 (may graze soft algae)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther peaceful, hard-water fish such as platies, mollies, guppies, larger tetras, peaceful barbs, rainbowfish, corydoras and bristlenose catfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAggressive or fin-nipping fish, large predators that will eat them, and very timid slow swimmers that can't cope with their energy. Avoid keeping several males in a small tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232793706787,"sku":"BA9186-S","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232793739555,"sku":"BA9186","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232793772323,"sku":"BA9186-L","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/golden-sunrise-swordtail-xip-43883242783011.webp?v=1790305823","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/golden-sunrise-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}