Swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
7 in the tank
Where it's from
Native to the Actopan, Aguan, Belize, Chamelecon and 23 other river basins
Mexico, Honduras, Belize and Guatemala
Recorded as introduced in United States (Alafia basin), South Africa (Amahlongwa basin), Mexico (Ameca basin), United States (Antelope Wash basin) and 86 more places
Native range: Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CC BY 4.0); Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species (CC BY 4.0); Checklist of Freshwater Non Native Species of Spain (CC0); Listado taxonómico de peces y lampreas con distribución en México (CC0); DAISIE (CC BY 4.0); World Register of Introduced Marine Species (WRiMS) (CC BY 4.0); South African National Species Checklist (Catalogue of Life in South Africa (CC BY 4.0); Tedesco et al. 2017 (CC0).
At a glance
- Size
- 4 in
- 10 cm
- Min tank
- 20 gal
- 76 L
- Group
- 3+
- Temp
- 64–82°F
- 18–28°C
- pH
- 7.0–8.3
- GH
- 214–536 ppm
- 12–30 dGH
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swims
- Middle
- Lifespan
- 3–5 yrs
Ammonia 0 ppm and nitrate under 20 ppm.
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Everything about Swordtail
Care guide, common diseases, tank mates, keepers' experiences and more