{"product_id":"kohaku-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","title":"Kohaku Swordtail | Xiphophorus hellerii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Kohaku Swordtail is a striking take on a community classic — clean white flanks marked with bold red-orange koi-style patches, and in mature males the long, colourful \"sword\" trailing from the lower tail. Bold, active and famously hardy, it's as easy to keep as it is eye-catching. Including the sword, males reach around 12–14 cm, so give them room to swim.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eXiphophorus hellerii is native to fast, clear, heavily planted streams and rivers of Central America, from Mexico through to Honduras. These waters are typically hard and alkaline with steady flow and plenty of vegetation. The Kohaku is a selectively bred colour form of this adaptable livebearer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA robust, elongated livebearer. The Kohaku pattern is a crisp white body overlaid with red-to-orange blotches, echoing kohaku koi. Mature males develop the signature sword — an extended lower tail lobe — and are slimmer, while females are larger-bodied and swordless. Interestingly, dominant females can occasionally change sex and develop a short sword.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and outgoing, and a fine community fish, though rival males can be feisty and chase one another. Keep either a single male or several females per male to spread out that attention. They are active mid-to-upper swimmers that mix well with most calm, similarly sized community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn easy omnivore. Feed a quality flake or small pellet as the staple, with plenty of vegetable matter and algae, plus frozen and live treats such as brine shrimp and daphnia. A varied diet with some greens keeps colour and condition strong.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide at least 75 litres, ideally 100 litres or more for a group, with open swimming space, some planting and a secure lid — swordtails are accomplished jumpers. Hard, neutral to alkaline water suits them best. They are very hardy and forgiving, making them an excellent choice for beginners.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA prolific livebearer. Females give birth to broods of free-swimming fry every four to six weeks, with no need for special intervention — they breed readily in a community tank. Provide dense planting or a breeding box if you want to save fry, as adults will eat them. Expect a steady supply of young.\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\u003eKohaku 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\u003e10–14 cm (males, including sword; females to ~12 cm)\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 feisty with rivals)\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\u003e100+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (flake, pellet, vegetables, frozen foods)\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\u003e7.0–8.3\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\u003eCommunity and livebearer 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\u003ePeaceful community fish and other livebearers — platies, mollies, guppies, larger tetras, rasboras, peaceful barbs, corydoras and bristlenose catfish. Anything calm that shares hard, neutral-to-alkaline water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAggressive or large predatory cichlids, fin-nippers such as tiger barbs, and very timid soft-water species that prefer acidic conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232793903395,"sku":null,"price":6.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232793936163,"sku":"BA9187","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232793968931,"sku":null,"price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Kohaku_Swordtail_b8cc4b95-ab4d-4d6c-aabc-de2262ee3ef1.jpg?v=1781698018","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/kohaku-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}