{"product_id":"red-wag-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","title":"Red Wag Swordtail | Xiphophorus hellerii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBold, active and hardy, the Swordtail is a community classic — and mature males of this Red Wag form trail a long, colourful \"sword\" from the lower tail against a bright red body with black fins. Peaceful, quick to breed and easy to keep, swordtails reach around 14 cm and add real life and colour to a roomy community tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eXiphophorus hellerii is native to the fast-flowing, well-vegetated rivers and streams of eastern Central America, from Mexico through to Honduras. It lives in warm, hard, slightly alkaline water with a good current, and aquarium swordtails are hardy tank-bred fish selected for colour and finnage.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA slim, muscular livebearer. The Red Wag variety has a vivid red body with contrasting black fins, and mature males extend the lower tail rays into the characteristic \"sword\". Males are slimmer with a gonopodium and the sword, while females are fuller-bodied and slightly larger.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenerally peaceful and outgoing, though males can squabble and chase, so keep either a single male or a group with several females. They are active swimmers that appreciate room to move and mix well with other peaceful community fish of similar size.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that grazes readily. Feed a quality flake or granule as the staple and supplement with frozen and live foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm, plus vegetable or algae-based food, which they particularly appreciate.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 90 L, with 150 L or larger better for an active group. Keep temperature at 22–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.0 and GH moderately hard to hard, around 12–30. They are enthusiastic jumpers, so a secure lid is essential. Clean, well-filtered water with some current and open swimming space suits them best, and they are plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSwordtails are easy, prolific livebearers, the female giving birth to broods of live young every four to six weeks. Adults will eat fry, so provide dense planting or a breeding trap to raise them. A mixed-sex group breeds readily with no special effort.\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 Wag Swordtail, Green Swordtail\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral America (Mexico to Honduras); aquarium-bred\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 14 cm for males (excluding the sword); females to around 16 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (community); males can be territorial\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\u003e90 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore: flake, granules, frozen and live foods, plenty of vegetable matter\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\u003eModerately hard to hard, 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\u003eActive peaceful 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\u003eSuitable tank mates include other peaceful community fish such as platies, mollies, larger tetras, peaceful barbs, rainbowfish, rasboras and Corydoras.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with large or aggressive cichlids, fin-nippers, and very small or timid fish that may be out-paced by these active swimmers. Always use a tight lid.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232790626595,"sku":null,"price":6.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232790659363,"sku":"BA8826","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232790692131,"sku":null,"price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Red_Wag_Swordtail_54bcf20a-9303-4e0c-b8d2-78884e2867fd.jpg?v=1781698031","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/red-wag-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}