{"product_id":"pineapple-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","title":"Pineapple Swordtail | Xiphophorus hellerii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBold, active and hardy, the Swordtail is a livebearing community classic — and mature males trail the long, colourful 'sword' from the lower tail that gives the fish its name. This warm pineapple-yellow strain is peaceful, quick to breed and as easy to keep as it is eye-catching, reaching around 10–14 cm including the sword.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSwordtails come from the fast-flowing rivers, streams and warm springs of Central America, from Mexico down to Honduras. These are hard, mineral-rich, neutral-to-alkaline waters with plenty of plant growth and current — the reason swordtails appreciate hard water and a little flow.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA robust, torpedo-shaped livebearer in a rich golden-yellow to orange (pineapple) colour. Males are slimmer and carry the distinctive extended lower tail lobe, or 'sword'; females are larger, fuller-bodied and lack the sword. Both show the warm, clean colour of this popular strain.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and sociable, the Swordtail makes an excellent community fish, though males can be territorial and spar with one another. Keep either a single male or a group with several females to spread out any chasing. It is active and confident, mixing well with other lively, hard-water fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn easy omnivore with a taste for greens. Offer a quality flake or pellet as a staple, plenty of vegetable matter and algae, and regular frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia and bloodworms. A varied diet keeps colour strong and fish in good condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHardy and undemanding in warm, hard, neutral-to-alkaline water. Provide a medium planted tank with open swimming space and moderate flow. A secure lid is important — swordtails are accomplished jumpers, especially the males. Avoid soft, acidic water, which does not suit this hard-water species.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA prolific livebearer that breeds very readily; females deliver batches of free-swimming fry every few weeks in mixed-sex groups. Provide dense planting or floating cover, as the adults will eat their own young. Interestingly, dominant females can sometimes develop male features later in life.\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\u003ePineapple 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 10–14 cm (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 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\u003e75 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\u003eBeginners; hard-water planted community 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 — does not damage plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther livebearers (platies, mollies, guppies), peaceful barbs, rainbowfish, larger tetras, corydoras and peaceful catfish — all thrive in the same hard, neutral-to-alkaline water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMultiple males in a small tank (they will spar), fin-nippers, aggressive cichlids, and soft-water species with very different water needs.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232791675171,"sku":null,"price":6.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232791707939,"sku":"BA8195","price":8.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232791740707,"sku":null,"price":13.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Pineapple_Swordtail_3f1ed24b-8fd9-433d-99c9-edb0b410afe0.jpg?v=1781698023","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/pineapple-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}