Care and Compatibility of Swordtail fish - Xiphophorus hellerii


Introduction

Xiphophorus hellerii, also known as swordtail fish, is a species of freshwater fish native to Central America. It is appreciated for its attractive appearance, especially the distinctive sword-like tail that gives it its common name. Its vibrant colors and lively behavior make it a popular choice for freshwater aquariums.

Behavior

Swordtail fish are active and energetic, constantly swimming in the aquarium. They are peaceful and usually get along well with other fish of similar size. They are excellent swimmers and can display interesting behaviors, such as chasing each other in play or for mating. They are very hardy and easily adapt to different water conditions.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism in Xiphophorus hellerii is evident. Males are usually smaller and more colorful than females. Additionally, males have a gonopodium, a modified organ for sperm transfer, while females have a more rounded anal fin.

Reproduction

Breeding swordtail fish in captivity is relatively straightforward. They are livebearers, meaning that the females give birth to live fry instead of laying eggs. The males have a modified anal fin in the shape of a sword, which they use to attract females during courtship. It is recommended to provide hiding spots and floating plants in the aquarium to protect newborn fry.

Aquarium Conditions

Xiphophorus hellerii, commonly known as the platy, is a small and lively fish that adapts well to a wide range of aquarium conditions. It prefers a well-planted aquarium with open areas for swimming and exploring. Maintaining good water quality is important, as well as providing a varied diet.

Feeding

Swordtail fish are omnivorous and accept a variety of foods. They feed on commercial foods in the form of flakes or pellets, as well as live or frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, daphnia, and brine shrimp. Their diet can also be supplemented with blanched vegetables and algae. It is important to offer them a balanced diet to maintain their health and vibrant colors.

Complexity

Caring for Xiphophorus hellerii is relatively easy. They are hardy fish that can survive in a variety of water conditions. They are prone to diseases if not kept in a clean and stable environment. They are also known for breeding easily in captivity.


In case you need more help, or if you want to know into any topic related to the Xiphophorus hellerii (Swordtail fish) and even any other species you can use the forums to ask what you need.

To do an analysis more detailed about coexistence and behavior of Xiphophorus hellerii (Swordtail fish) use the Aquarium simulation tool, if you do this you can test different ways to combine the Swordtail fish with other fishes giving the dimensions and space on you aquarium, on this way you can known the optimal configuration for keep the fishes that you want.

You can also find out the 104 species compatible with the Xiphophorus hellerii (Swordtail fish) can live together.

Note: The parameters of the water such as PH and temperature are also used to calculate the compatibility of the species.


Compatible species (104)

Compatible (70 Species)

Compatible without any restriction


Freshwater angelfish - Pterophyllum scalare

Freshwater angelfish

Pterophyllum scalare

Male siamese fighting fish - betta splendens male

Male siamese fighting fish

betta splendens male

Golden Royal Pleco - Sturisoma aureum

Golden Royal Pleco

Sturisoma aureum

Veil tail Goldfish - Carassius auratus I

Veil tail Goldfish

Carassius auratus I

Guppy fish - Poecilia reticulata

Guppy fish

Poecilia reticulata

Striped Raphael Catfish - Platydoras costatus

Striped Raphael Catfish

Platydoras costatus

Swordtail fish - Xiphophorus hellerii

Swordtail fish

Xiphophorus hellerii

Neon tetra fish - Paracheirodon innesi

Neon tetra fish

Paracheirodon innesi

Female Siamese Fighting Fish - Betta Splendens Female

Female Siamese Fighting Fish

Betta Splendens Female

Tiger Barb - Puntius tetrazona

Tiger Barb

Puntius tetrazona

Clown Loach - Chromobotia macracanthus

Clown Loach

Chromobotia macracanthus

Bleeding Heart Tetra - Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma

Bleeding Heart Tetra

Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma

Molly fish - Poecilia sphenops

Molly fish

Poecilia sphenops

Pearl gourami - Trichogaster leerii

Pearl gourami

Trichogaster leerii

Coolie loach - Pangio kuhlii

Coolie loach

Pangio kuhlii

Telescope goldfish - Carassius auratus II

Telescope goldfish

Carassius auratus II

Comet Goldfish - Carassius auratus III

Comet Goldfish

Carassius auratus III

Bubble Eye Goldfish - Carassius auratus IV

Bubble Eye Goldfish

Carassius auratus IV

Dwarf Gourami - Colisa lalia

Dwarf Gourami

Colisa lalia

Zebrafish - Danio rerio

Zebrafish

Danio rerio

Galaxy Plecostomus - Leporacanthicus sp L240

Galaxy Plecostomus

Leporacanthicus sp L240

Black Skirt Tetra - Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Black Skirt Tetra

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Siamese Algae Eater - Crossocheilus Siamensis

Siamese Algae Eater

Crossocheilus Siamensis

Butterfly Loach - Beaufortia leveretti

Butterfly Loach

Beaufortia leveretti

Leopard Cactus Pleco - Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Leopard Cactus Pleco

Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Platy Fish - Xiphophorus maculatus

Platy Fish

Xiphophorus maculatus

Galaxy Rasbora - Danio margaritatus

Galaxy Rasbora

Danio margaritatus

Yoyo Loach - Botia almorhae

Yoyo Loach

Botia almorhae

Glassy Perchlet - Parambassis ranga

Glassy Perchlet

Parambassis ranga

Glowlight Tetra - Hemigrammus Erythrozonus

Glowlight Tetra

Hemigrammus Erythrozonus

Chinese Neon Tetra - Tanichthys albonubes

Chinese Neon Tetra

Tanichthys albonubes

Red-eyed Tetra - Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae

Red-eyed Tetra

Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae

Black Neon Tetra - Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Black Neon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Otocinclus Catfish - Otocinclus Affinis

Otocinclus Catfish

Otocinclus Affinis

Kribensis Cichlid - Pelvicachromis pulcher

Kribensis Cichlid

Pelvicachromis pulcher

Silver Dollar Fish - Metynnis argenteus

Silver Dollar Fish

Metynnis argenteus

Kissing Gourami - Helostoma temminckii

Kissing Gourami

Helostoma temminckii

Harlequin Rasbora - Trigonostigma Heteromorpha

Harlequin Rasbora

Trigonostigma Heteromorpha

Serpae Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Eques

Serpae Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Eques

Apple Snail - Pomacea bridgesii

Apple Snail

Pomacea bridgesii

Emperor Tetra - Nematobrycon Palmeri

Emperor Tetra

Nematobrycon Palmeri

Goldeneye Dwarf Cichlid - Nannacara anomala

Goldeneye Dwarf Cichlid

Nannacara anomala

Three lined Pencilfish - Nannostomus Trifasciatus

Three lined Pencilfish

Nannostomus Trifasciatus

Boraras Brigittae Fish - Boraras Brigittae

Boraras Brigittae Fish

Boraras Brigittae

Cherry Barb - Barbus titteya

Cherry Barb

Barbus titteya

Endler Guppy Fish - Poecilia Wingei

Endler Guppy Fish

Poecilia Wingei

Black Phantom Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Megalopterus

Black Phantom Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Megalopterus

Forktail Blue-Eye - Pseudomugil furcatus

Forktail Blue-Eye

Pseudomugil furcatus

Blue-Eyed Pseudomugil - Pseudomugil paskai

Blue-Eyed Pseudomugil

Pseudomugil paskai

Clown Pleco - Panaqolus maccus

Clown Pleco

Panaqolus maccus

Pictus Catfish - Pimelodus pictus

Pictus Catfish

Pimelodus pictus

Royal Pleco - Panaque nigrolineatus

Royal Pleco

Panaque nigrolineatus

Congo Tetra - Phenacogrammus interruptus

Congo Tetra

Phenacogrammus interruptus

Lacustris Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia lacustris

Lacustris Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia lacustris

Dwarf Tetra - Hasemania nana

Dwarf Tetra

Hasemania nana

Preacox Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia preacox

Preacox Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia preacox

Semifasciolatus Barb - Puntius semifasciolatus

Semifasciolatus Barb

Puntius semifasciolatus

Moenkhausia Pittieri - Moenkhausia pittieri

Moenkhausia Pittieri

Moenkhausia pittieri

Stiphodon Ornatus - Stiphodon ornatus

Stiphodon Ornatus

Stiphodon ornatus

Red Cherry - Neocaridina davidi

Red Cherry

Neocaridina davidi

Amano Shrimp - Caridina multidentata

Amano Shrimp

Caridina multidentata

Blue Bee Shrimp - Paracaridina sp

Blue Bee Shrimp

Paracaridina sp

Bamboo Shrimp - Atyopsis moluccensis

Bamboo Shrimp

Atyopsis moluccensis

Red-Backed Tetra - Hyphessobrycon bentosi

Red-Backed Tetra

Hyphessobrycon bentosi

Lemon Tetra - Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Lemon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Medaka Fish - Oryzias latipes

Medaka Fish

Oryzias latipes

Dwarf Swordtail - Heterandria formosa

Dwarf Swordtail

Heterandria formosa

Similar Sizes (9 Species)

Pueden convivir si son de tamaños similares, pero evidentemente el pez koi ira creciendo y llegara el momento en que podría caber por la boca del pez koi y comérselo.


Common carp - Cyprinus carpio

Common carp

Cyprinus carpio

They can coexist if they are the same size or very similar sizes, it does not work in all cases, there may be exceptions.


Boeseman's Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia Boesemani

Boeseman's Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia Boesemani

Princess of Burundi Cichlid - Neolamprologus brichardi

Princess of Burundi Cichlid

Neolamprologus brichardi

Denison Barb - Puntius denisonii

Denison Barb

Puntius denisonii

Empire Gudgeon - Hypseleotris compressa

Empire Gudgeon

Hypseleotris compressa

Stick Catfish - Farlowella acus

Stick Catfish

Farlowella acus

Red Rainbowfish - Glossolepis incisus

Red Rainbowfish

Glossolepis incisus

Altum Angelfish - Pterophyllum altum

Altum Angelfish

Pterophyllum altum

Weather Loach - Misgurnus spp

Weather Loach

Misgurnus spp

With Reservation (6 Species)

It can eat small fish that will fit in its mouth at night if they are sleeping on the bottom.


Dwarf marbled catfish - Microglanis poecilus

Dwarf marbled catfish

Microglanis poecilus

Compatible in some cases, it depends on the nature and personality of the fish.


Upside-Down Catfish - Synodontis eupterus

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis eupterus

Paradise Fish - Macropodus Opercularis

Paradise Fish

Macropodus Opercularis

Dragon Violet Goby - Gobioides broussonnetii

Dragon Violet Goby

Gobioides broussonnetii

Filamented Rainbowfish - Iriatherina Werneri

Filamented Rainbowfish

Iriatherina Werneri

Considerable size difference (1 Species)

They can coexist while they are similar in size or the size difference is not very abysmal, since as the fish grows it increases the chances of eating its partner that did not grow much.


Suckermouth catfish - Hypostomus plecostomus

Suckermouth catfish

Hypostomus plecostomus

Food competition (12 Species)

They can live together but you have to be careful since it is likely that the fastest fish will take all the food and leave nothing for their partners who are slow swimmers, so you have to make sure that everyone can eat.


Celestial eye goldfish - Carassius auratus V

Celestial eye goldfish

Carassius auratus V

Wasp Goby - Brachygobius Xanthozona

Wasp Goby

Brachygobius Xanthozona

Glass Catfish - Kryptopterus bicirrhis

Glass Catfish

Kryptopterus bicirrhis

Upside-Down Catfish - Synodontis nigriventris

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis nigriventris

Nerite Snail - Neritina sp

Nerite Snail

Neritina sp

Anentome Helena - Anentome helena

Anentome Helena

Anentome helena

IndoPlanorbis Exustus - Planorbis planorbis

IndoPlanorbis Exustus

Planorbis planorbis

Horned Snail - Tyloperlamania sp

Horned Snail

Tyloperlamania sp

Florida Dwarf Crayfish - Cambarellus diminutus

Florida Dwarf Crayfish

Cambarellus diminutus

Spotted Dora Catfish - Agamyxus pectinifrons

Spotted Dora Catfish

Agamyxus pectinifrons

Pearlscale Goldfish - Carassius auratus VI

Pearlscale Goldfish

Carassius auratus VI

Pez ventosa de borneo - Sewellia lineolata

Pez ventosa de borneo

Sewellia lineolata

Compatible if space is enough (6 Species)

They can coexist together if the aquarium they share is large and spacious enough for both species to feel good, as some fish may attack others to feel that they have little space and try to eliminate the competition.


Cockatoo Cichlid - Apistogramma Cacatuoides

Cockatoo Cichlid

Apistogramma Cacatuoides

Fire Fish Dragon Blood - Aulonocara Firefish

Fire Fish Dragon Blood

Aulonocara Firefish

Multis Fish - Neolamprologus multifasciatus

Multis Fish

Neolamprologus multifasciatus

Dwarf Cichlid - Apistogramma borellii

Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma borellii

Myanmar Darío - Dario sp Myanmar

Myanmar Darío

Dario sp Myanmar

Filamentous Tetra - Dicrossus filamentosus

Filamentous Tetra

Dicrossus filamentosus

Swordtail fish

Xiphophorus hellerii

Swordtail fish - Xiphophorus hellerii
  • Ph: 7 - 8.3
  • Temperature (c°): 20 - 28
  • Measures: 8 cm - 12cm
  • Aquarium Capacity:
    24 Liters - 6 Gallons
  • Alimentación: Omnivores
  • Colores: Green, Orange, Red, White
  • Comportamiento: Active, Peaceful, Shoal
  • Habitad: American
  • Morfología: Bright colors
  • Preferencias del Acuario: Natural plants, Rocks, Sand
  • Tamaño: Small
  • Taxonomía: Fish
  • Tipo de Agua: Sweet water, Tropical waters
  • Velocidad de nado o movimiento: Fast
  • Zona de Nado: Swim in the middle of the aquarium