Painted Swordtail

Common Name
Painted Swordtail
Other Common Names
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Scientific Name
Xiphophorus hellri
Family
Poeciliidae
Community
General
Class
Swords
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Top-Middle
Adult Length
4-4 1/2 inches
Feeding Habits
Live blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. Frozen vegetable diet, beef heart, brine shrimp, daphnia, plankton, blood worms and glass worms. Freeze dried and flake foods are also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling fish. Males should be outnumbered by the females two to one.
Habitat
Central America: Moderately decorated with rocks, live plants and driftwood.
Breeding
Males have the extension on their tail fins. Livebearers that can produced up to 80 offspring at a time. The fry may be eaten by their parents and other fish in the aquarium so they should be separated.
Additional Comments
Many color and fin variations have been produced by commercial breeders.