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Lyretail Swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii
Variety of Swordtail · lyretail
📍 Central America
A fin-shape variety of the swordtail where both the upper and lower lobes of the caudal fin are elongated, creating a symmetrical lyre shape while still retaining a sword extension on the lower lobe in males. It is as hardy as standard swordtails and thrives in community tanks with hard, alkaline water, though fin-nippers should be avoided.
Care Guide
Diet
Lyretail swordtails are omnivorous and should be fed high-quality flake food or small pellets as a staple, supplemented 2-3 times weekly with frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms. Include vegetable matter such as blanched spinach or algae-based foods to support their digestive health. Feed small amounts once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes.
Behavior
These peaceful, active fish are strong swimmers that prefer the mid-water column and spend much of their time exploring and grazing. Males may display territorial behavior toward each other, so multiple males should only be kept in larger tanks with plenty of visual barriers. They are social fish that do best in groups of 3 or more and are generally compatible with community tank inhabitants.
Breeding
Lyretail swordtails are livebearers that breed readily in captivity when kept in groups with a female-to-male ratio favoring females (3:1 or higher). Fry are born fully formed and should be removed to a separate rearing tank with dense vegetation to prevent predation by adults. Breeding is not difficult, but controlling population growth in established tanks can be challenging.
Tank Mates
Similar size, water parameters, and peaceful temperament; both thrive in hard, alkaline water
Closely related livebearer with identical care requirements and compatible social behavior
Peaceful algae eater that doesn't compete for food and tolerates similar water conditions
Small, peaceful schooling fish that occupy mid-water zones without competing aggressively
Peaceful invertebrate that helps control algae and doesn't compete with fish for food
Common Diseases
Fin Rot
Frayed, discolored, or deteriorating fin edges; lethargy; loss of appetite
Perform 25% water changes every 2-3 days, improve water quality, and treat with aquarium salt (1 teaspoon per 5 gallons) or antibacterial medication if severe
Ich (White Spot Disease)
Small white spots on body and fins, excessive scratching against objects, rapid breathing
Raise water temperature gradually to 28-29°C, perform daily water changes, and treat with ich medication or aquarium salt for 7-10 days
Velvet Disease
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, clamped fins, lethargy, rapid gill movement
Increase aeration, raise temperature to 28°C, perform daily water changes, and treat with copper-free velvet medication for 7-14 days
Dropsy
Swollen abdomen, protruding scales, lethargy, loss of appetite
Isolate affected fish, perform frequent water changes, improve water quality, and treat with antibacterial medication; prognosis is often poor
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Varieties
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Water it likes
- ph
- 7.0–8.3
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- temperature
- 64–79°F (18–26°C)