Koi Swordtail

Bred by TFR

Swordtail (Xiphophorous helleri)

Native Location: North and Central America

Climate: Tropical

Maximum Size: 14 – 16.5 cm (5.5 – 6.5 inches)

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Omnivore

Breeding: Intermediate

Temperature Range: 20 – 27℃ (70 –82℉)

Preferred pH Range: 7 – 8.4

Minimum Aquarium Size: 75 L (20 gallons)

Potential Tankmates: Mollies, Dwarf Gourami, Neon Tetras

Care Level: Beginner

Often mistaken for a Guppy or Platy, Swordtail is one of the best freshwater fish for beginners. Swordtail will accept varieties of foods but will need a balanced diet, like quality flake food, protein vegetation and live foods. Try bloodworms and brine shrimp; they will also eat algae and other vegetation in their natural habitat. Swordtails are sociable and thrive with good company of other like-minded fish. Males will be aggressive to other Swordtail males. In a smaller aquarium, consider keeping only one male, with two or three females. Though they prefer to live in groups, they are not schooling fish.

Consider Swordtails the athletes of your underwater world. They are fast swimmers and fantastic jumpers. Given the opportunity, they will fly right out of your aquarium. Do not give them that chance, a lid for your tank is necessary if you want to keep Swordtails alive. In their native habitat they live in moving waters, with higher temperatures and high oxygen content. They will hang out in any level of your tank and will tolerate many set up, such as if you enjoy a nice planted aquarium or a fine rockscape.

Colours vary in Swordtails. In the wild, they can be olive green with yellow and red streaks along the length of their body. Other, rarer varieties observe colourful and vibrant spots dotting the fins. Males grow to 14cm (5.5 inches) while females can grow to 16.5cm (6.5 inches). Male caudal fins protrude along its lower half. The fin alone can grow to half the length of the male Swordtails body. Females caudal fin does not display any protrusion. A female Swordtail may choose to ignore any males if she is new in the tank. Swordtails are livebearers. Meaning females hold the eggs inside their body until ready to hatch. It is likely time for birth, when a distance grows between them and the males, with an aggressiveness.

Variations include Gold, Pineapple, Red & White, Red, and Koi 

All our fish are quarantined on arrival for two weeks. During this time, they are treated for any possible diseases and given a complete health check  to make sure they are health, happy and eating well before being placed in our display aquariums, ready for sale.

Dead on Arrival (DOA) Policy: In the unfortunate event that your fish arrives dead, please follow these steps: Within 12 hours of the delivery, take clear, unopened bag pictures showing the deceased fish. Send these photographs and your order number to our customer service email at getfish@thefishroom.co.nz or to our Facebook page and we will then offer a refund or store credit for the cost of the fish. 

Two-Week Guarantee Policy: We stand behind the health and quality of our fish, which is why we offer a two-week guarantee starting from the day of delivery. If your fish dies within this time frame, adhere to the following procedure: Take clear photos of the deceased fish. Using a reliable test kit, document via a dated photo, water parameters (pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite levels). Please email us the photographs, water parameters, and order number to getfish@thefishroom.co.nz or our Facebook page. After reviewing your claim, if approved, we will issue a store credit for the cost of the fish. Our two-week guarantee does not cover fish deaths due to unsuitable water conditions, incompatible tank mates or “disasters” i.e. a heater overheating. We recommend thoroughly researching each fish species' needs before introducing them to your aquarium to prevent such situations. 

 Freight Charges: Please note that shipping or freight charges are non-refundable under all circumstances. We hope this guide makes our refund and guarantee process more understandable. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please get in touch with us at getfish@thefishroom.co.nz. We are always happy to assist. Thank you for choosing The Fish Room. Happy fish keeping!