The Swordtail fish are the perfect community aquarium fish. This popular tropical fish is widely kept because of to its ease of care, peaceful temperament, and wonderfully diverse fin and color varieties. And there are many stunning varieties now in the hobby. Actually you can find Swordtail fish for sale here! The hottest varieties are the Koi Swordtails, Red Swordtails, and Mickey Mouse Swordtails.

 

The most available Swordtail varieties presently include: Bumblebee, Red Panda, Panda, Red Velvet Wag, White, Black & White, Marigold, Red & White, Sky Blue, Black Moscow, Imperial Koi, Lyretail, Albino Koi, Pineapple, Blue Coral, Green, Gold Wag, Lemon, and Brick Orange. The male Swordtail is especially relished because it is their very showy extension or sword like tail which gives them their namesake. The lower part of the caudal fin extends outward resembling a sword.

 

The Swordtail fish should be kept in an aquarium of at least 20 gallons that is well planted with plenty of room for swimming. Because of its peaceful nature, the Swordtail is perfectly suited for the community tank. Male Swordtails can demonstrate territorial aggression towards other male Swordtails in the same tank so care should be taken when housing more than one male. Interestingly, the Swordtail fish is known to be a jumper, so be sure to provide a full aquarium hood to secure the top of your aquarium.

 

Feeding swordtails are easy, this species is an omnivore and will accept aquarium prepared foods like flakes, freeze dried items like bloodworms, tubifex and brine shrimps.Swordtail fish also known as Xiphophorus hellerii initially were offered as green swordtails. These tropical fish are live bearers that are also related to other popular aquarium community fish like guppies, mollies, and platys. Female swordtails are known to have as many as 80 fry at one time.

 

Some breeder manages the fry with a spawning net which floats in the same aquarium. This protects the fry from other fish in the community tank from being eaten. It also gives the female a break while she is yielding her young in the presence of other adult fish. Swordtail fish can breed as young as three months of age and are prolific breeders and can overpopulate an aquarium.