{"product_id":"koi-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","title":"Koi Swordtail | Xiphophorus hellerii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Koi Swordtail is a bright, hardy livebearer showing the red, orange, black and white blotching of ornamental koi, with the male's trademark elongated \"sword\" trailing from the lower tail. Active, peaceful and undemanding, swordtails are a superb beginner fish — though they are larger than they look, with females reaching around 16 cm, so they want a roomy tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSwordtails are native to fast-flowing and still fresh waters of Central America, from Mexico to Honduras — rivers, streams, warm springs and vegetated backwaters. They favour hard, alkaline, well-oxygenated water, and koi swordtails are a captive-bred colour strain of this adaptable species.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA robust, torpedo-shaped livebearer. Mature males carry the long sword extension on the lower edge of the tail and are more slender, while females are larger and fuller-bodied without a sword. The koi form shows a marbled red-white-black pattern that varies from fish to fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and sociable community fish, though males can be feisty and chase each other, so keep one male to several females or a group in a larger tank to spread out the energy. They mix well with other robust, peaceful species.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that benefits from plenty of vegetable matter. Feed a good flake or pellet as a staple, add algae or spirulina-based foods and blanched vegetables, and supplement with frozen or live brine shrimp, daphnia and bloodworm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGive them a tank of at least 100 litres with open swimming space, some planting and a secure lid, as swordtails are accomplished jumpers. They prefer hard, alkaline, well-oxygenated water and are hardy across a wide range of stable conditions. Regular water changes keep them thriving.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSwordtails are prolific livebearers that breed readily — females deliver batches of free-swimming fry roughly every four weeks and can store sperm for multiple broods. Provide dense planting to shelter fry, as adults will eat them.\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\u003eKoi 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 colour strain\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMales ~14 cm (incl. sword); females ~16 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 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\u003e100 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (flake, pellet, vegetable matter, frozen and live 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\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\u003ePeaceful community and planted 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 and tender plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther livebearers (mollies, platies), peaceful barbs, larger tetras, rainbowfish, Corydoras and bristlenose catfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAggressive or large cichlids, fin-nippers, and very small timid fish that will be outcompeted by their pace.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232792428835,"sku":null,"price":6.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232792461603,"sku":"BA8192","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232792494371,"sku":null,"price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Koi_Swordtail_238e7f6e-0385-4e8f-9782-acbf55660ee2.jpg?v=1781698019","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/koi-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}