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SWORDTAIL
Swordtail Fish, scientifically known as Xiphophorus Hellerii, are a species of freshwater/brackish fish in the Poeciliidae family of order Cyprinodontiformes. Swordifsh are live-bearers and are closely related to the platy fish (Xiphophorus Maculatus), native to parts of North and Central America.
The name ‘swordtail’ is derived from its elongated lower lobe of the male’s caudal fin (tailfin). Interestingly, female swordtail though larger than the male, lacks the signature ‘sword’. Wild Swordtail fish is green colored, with a red or brown lateral stripe and speckles on the dorsal and, sometimes, caudal fins. The male’s ‘sword’ is yellow, edged in black below.
Captive breeding swordtail fish dispose of various color and pattern varieties and have became largely popular in the aquarium industry.
Maintenace:
It is optimal to house swordtails in a tank with the size of 77 centimeter square for each 2.5cm of Swordtail. Avoid over sun exposure because it can easily cause changes in the temperature.
Water conditions:
Swordtail fish from Saigon Aquarium accommodates well to tap water, after chlorine treatment.
Range of pH: 6.5 – 8.0
Water temperature: appx 26˚C – 28˚C
Diet:
Swordtail fish are omnivores, they eat all live food, frozen food and vegetable food, so rotate their diet daily and feed only what they can consume in under 2 minutes, once or twice a day. Do not overfeed or leave food leftover in the tank, as it causes ammonia and nitrite and becomes toxic.
Behaviour:
In general, swordtail fish are peaceful and make good community fish. Male swordtails can be aggressive towards each other and are constantly trying to mate, so a ratio of 2 to 3 females per male is advised to prevent excessive harassment of the females. Good tankmates include tetras, rasboras, danios, peaceful barbs, and rainbowfish.
