{"product_id":"red-calico-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","title":"Red Calico Swordtail | Xiphophorus hellerii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBold, active and hardy, the Swordtail is a community classic — mature males trail the long, colourful 'sword' from the lower tail that gives the fish its name. This Red Calico form mixes red, black and pale mottling for a lively, dappled look. Peaceful and quick to breed, swordtails are as easy to keep as they are eye-catching, reaching up to around 14–16 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eXiphophorus hellerii comes from the fast, clear, hard-water streams, rivers and warm springs of eastern Central America, from Mexico south to Honduras. It is at home in flowing, mineral-rich water with plenty of plant cover, so it does best in a well-filtered tank with some current, hard water and room to swim.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA sizeable, robust livebearer. This calico form shows a patchy mix of red, black and white\/orange mottling over the body. Mature males develop the trademark sword — an extended lower tail ray, often edged in black — while females are larger-bodied and lack the sword.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful and outgoing, and an excellent community fish, though active males will chase females and spar with rival males. Keep one male with several females, or a group of males in a large tank, to spread out the sparring. They are strong swimmers that appreciate open space.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn easy-going omnivore. Feed a good flake or pellet as the base and include plenty of vegetable matter, such as spirulina or blanched vegetables, plus frozen or live bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia for condition and colour. A little algae grazing is natural for them.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 75 L, with 100 L or more better for a group. Swordtails like hard, alkaline water with some flow — 22–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.0 and hard (GH 12–30). Good filtration, a secure lid (they can jump) and some planting keep them healthy and settled.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSwordtails are prolific livebearers that need no encouragement — a mixed group will produce broods of 20–80 live young every four to six weeks. Provide dense planting or floating cover so fry can hide, as the adults will eat them. Interestingly, dominant females can sometimes change sex and develop a sword, becoming functional males.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eXiphophorus hellerii\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSwordtail (Red Calico)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral America (Mexico to Honduras)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMales around 14 cm including the sword; females to about 16 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (active; males can spar)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore: flake, pellet, vegetable matter, live and frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard, around 12–30 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard-water community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eExcellent hard-water community fish. Suitable companions include platies, mollies, guppies, larger rasboras and tetras, peaceful barbs, Corydoras and other catfish, and rainbowfish. Keep one male to several females, or a group of males in a large tank, to spread out any sparring.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid slow, long-finned fish such as bettas and fancy goldfish that active swordtails may harass or outpace at feeding, aggressive cichlids, and fin-nippers. Keeping several males in a small tank invites bullying, so give them space or keep a single male.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232794001699,"sku":null,"price":6.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232794034467,"sku":"BA9188","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232794067235,"sku":null,"price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Red_Calico_Swordtail_b6285f4e-576c-4067-8f8f-94ba40f3a5f4.jpg?v=1781698024","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/red-calico-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}