Swordtails - Assorted

Name: Swordtails - Assorted
Brand: Brooklands
SKU: 14637
Price: 14.95 NZD
Availability: InStock

SKU 14637

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Swordtails - Assorted

Product Details

Swordtails — Assorted Colors (Xiphophorus helleri)

NOT AVAILABLE TO SHIP - In-store Only

Overview: The Swordtail is a classic, high-energy livebearer that has been a staple of the aquarium hobby for generations. They are named for the striking, elongated extension on the lower edge of the male's caudal (tail) fin, which looks exactly like a miniature sword. When sold as "Assorted Colors," you are treated to a vibrant palette of line-bred color strains. These include the blazing Red, the high-contrast Tuxedo (black body with red or green accents), Neon Green (the wild coloration), Marigold, and Kohaku (a striking translucent red and white pattern).

Origins: They are native to the warm, fast-flowing rivers, streams, and springs of Central America, stretching from Mexico down to Honduras. Because they evolved in moving water, they are strong, sleek, and exceptionally fast swimmers compared to other livebearers like Guppies or Mollies.

Personality: Swordtails are bold, incredibly active, and constantly on display. They spend their days tirelessly exploring the entire water column. While females are completely peaceful, mature males have an incredibly high libido and can be quite pushy. Males also establish a strict social hierarchy; a dominant male will aggressively chase and bully any submissive males to keep them away from the females.

Care Level: Very Easy
Temperament: Peaceful to Semi-aggressive (Males can be territorial with each other)
Diet: Omnivore (Unfussy, enthusiastic eaters. Thrives on high-quality flakes, small pellets, and regular treats of frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. They also love to graze on natural algae)
Max Size: Females reach 12 cm; Males reach 10 cm (plus the length of their sword, which can add another 4–5 cm!)
Family: Poeciliidae (Livebearers)
Tank Size: 115 Litres minimum. (While they are often grouped with guppies, Swordtails grow quite large and are high-speed horizontal distance swimmers; they need a long tank to run)
Temperature: 22°C – 28°C
pH: 7.0 – 8.2 (They strictly prefer hard, alkaline water with plenty of mineral content)
Should be kept in groups? Yes, with a specific ratio. Just like Guppies, you must keep at least 2 to 3 females for every 1 male. If you keep a single pair, the male will relentlessly stress the female. If you want multiple males, you need a very large, heavily planted tank to break up lines of sight.

⚠️ Two Important Species Quirks:

1. The Spontaneous "Sex Change": It is an old hobby legend that female Swordtails can change into males. What actually happens is a biological phenomenon called late-maturing males. Some males look exactly like females, growing large and round without developing a sword or a gonopodium (mating fin) for the first year of their life. Then, out of nowhere, they will suddenly sprout a sword and mature into a male!

2. Elite Jumpers: Because they evolved in fast streams, Swordtails are phenomenal jumpers. If they are startled, or if a male is courting a female at high speed, they can easily launch themselves right out of the tank. A tight-fitting lid is mandatory.