{"product_id":"tri-coloured-calico-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","title":"Tri-coloured Calico Swordtail | Xiphophorus hellerii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBold, active and hardy, the Swordtail is a community classic - mature males trail a long, colourful \"sword\" from the tail, and the Tri-coloured Calico form adds a splash of mottled red, white and black to that signature silhouette.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to fast-flowing streams and rivers of Central America, from Mexico down through Guatemala and Honduras, where it lives among dense vegetation in clear water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Tri-coloured Calico pattern splashes patches of red, black and white across a silvery body; adult males develop the elongated lower caudal fin ray (\"sword\") that gives the species its name, while females remain rounder-bodied and swordless.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and active, though males can spar with one another over dominance - keep one male per several females, or a bachelor group with plenty of space to avoid ongoing squabbles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn easy omnivore, taking flake, pellets, and frozen or live foods like bloodworm and brine shrimp without fuss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardy and adaptable, doing well in a well-planted tank with open swimming room. Appreciates a bit of water movement and stable, mineral-rich water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA livebearer that breeds readily in the community tank with no special encouragement needed - females can store sperm and produce multiple broods, and can even spontaneously change sex to male later in life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\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\u003eSwordtail (Tri-coloured Calico)\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\u003eUp to 14cm including sword (males); similar body length, no sword, in females\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-friendly (males spar with each other)\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\u003e150-200 litres for a group\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\u003e7.0-8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10-20 dGH\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\u003eCommunity tanks, beginners\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\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther livebearers (platies, mollies, guppies), tetras, corydoras, and peaceful community fish of a similar size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFin-nippers that target the male's sword, and very small fish or fry that swordtails may see as a snack.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232790495523,"sku":null,"price":6.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232790528291,"sku":"BA8825","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232790561059,"sku":null,"price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Tri-coloured_Calico_Swordtail_29ccf3fe-402c-4939-b8a2-2ce237d5f46f.jpg?v=1781698033","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/tri-coloured-calico-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}