No photo yet
Sign in to submit the first photo
Tuxedo Swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii
Variety of Swordtail · tuxedo
📍 Central America
The Tuxedo Swordtail features a two-tone body — a colored upper half and a dark lower half — with the male's signature elongated lower tail fin. Hardy and active, it does best in well-planted tanks with swimming room.
Care Guide
Diet
Tuxedo Swordtails are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality flake foods, small pellets, and regular supplements of frozen foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms. Feed small amounts once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes. Occasional vegetable matter such as blanched spinach or algae wafers supports digestive health.
Behavior
These active, peaceful fish are strong swimmers that spend most of their time in the middle water column, darting through plants and open areas. Males display characteristic sword-like tail extensions and may show mild aggression toward other males, so provide adequate space and visual barriers. They are social fish that do best in groups of 3-5 individuals with a female-biased ratio.
Breeding
Tuxedo Swordtails are prolific livebearers that breed readily in established tanks with adequate plants for fry cover; breeding in captivity is common and relatively easy. Females produce 20-100 fry every 4-6 weeks when kept with males. Separate fry to a nursery tank or provide dense vegetation to prevent predation by adults.
Tank Mates
Similar size and peaceful temperament; avoid very small tetras that may be nipped
Peaceful algae eater that doesn't compete for space or food; nocturnal
Schooling fish with similar size and peaceful nature; prefers slightly cooler temps
Larger shrimp less likely to be harassed; helps with algae control
Hardy plant that provides shelter and won't be uprooted by active swimmers
Common Diseases
Fin Rot
Frayed, discolored, or deteriorating fins; often starts at edges and progresses toward body
Perform 25% water changes every 2-3 days, improve water quality, and treat with antibacterial medication if severe; remove sharp decorations
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots covering body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects
Raise temperature gradually to 28-29°C, treat with ich medication following label directions, and perform daily water changes; ensure adequate aeration
Velvet Disease
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, clamped fins, rapid gill movement, lethargy
Darken the tank, raise temperature to 28°C, treat with copper-based medication or salt baths; isolate affected fish if possible
Dropsy
Swollen abdomen, protruding scales, lethargy, loss of appetite, pale coloration
Isolate fish immediately, perform frequent water changes, treat with antibiotics if bacterial; improve water quality and reduce stress; prognosis is often poor
Community Photos
0 photosPhotos are added when members log a tank with this species and upload a photo in their tank journal. Add your own tank to contribute.
No photos yet — add a tank with Tuxedo Swordtail to be the first!
Sign in to vote.
Varieties
Tips from the community 💡
0 tipsReal experiences, care advice, and keeper notes. Finn learns from these too.
Sign in to share your experience.
No community tips yet — be the first to share your knowledge!