{"product_id":"red-cap-albino-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","title":"Red Cap Albino Swordtail | Xiphophorus hellerii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA striking Swordtail variety with a pale albino body crowned by a bold red 'cap' over the head. Like all swordtails it is bold, active and hardy, with mature males trailing the long tail 'sword'. Peaceful and quick to breed, it is an easy, eye-catching community fish 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 robust livebearer with the pinkish-white body and red eyes of the albino form, offset by a concentrated red patch of colour over the head and shoulders. Mature males carry the extended lower-tail sword, often edged in black; females are larger-bodied and swordless.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful and sociable but active, with males chasing females and sparring with rivals. Keep one male to several females, or a group of males in a spacious tank, to spread out any squabbling. Strong swimmers that enjoy open water.\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. Hard, alkaline water with gentle flow suits them — 22–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.0 and hard (GH 12–30). Fit a secure lid, as swordtails are accomplished jumpers.\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 Cap Albino)\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":55232790987043,"sku":null,"price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232791019811,"sku":"BA8250","price":12.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232791052579,"sku":null,"price":17.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Red_Cap_Albino_Swordtail_6771ea4a-1c78-4e09-9fc0-a3ed3f1f9300.jpg?v=1781698026","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/red-cap-albino-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}