Swordtail size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 12 cm. The largest on record measured 14 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 15 Poeciliidae species on LumaReef: 2 cm (Tiger Teddy) to 15 cm (Sailfin molly).

Swordtail tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 120 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.

Swordtail water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 20–27 °C, pH 7.0–8.4, hardness 10–25 °dGH. Close to what most Poeciliidae on LumaReef need (22–28 °C).

Swordtail tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 69 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Sailfin molly, Bristlenose pleco, and Giant danio.

FreshwaterIn the market80 coinsCommon

Swordtail

Xiphophorus hellerii

A strong, fast open-water swimmer; the males set up a pecking order.

The Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae. It swims in midwater, close to the bottom. Adults grow to about 12 cm; the largest on record measured 14 cm (total length). In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 120 cm long and water at 20–27 °C.

Size: 12 cm
Smallest tank: 120 cm
Temperature: 20–27 °C
Care: Moderate

In the aquarium

Temperature20–27 °C

pH7.0–8.4

Hardness10–25 °dGH

Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Moderate
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Happiest in a group of 5 or more
Plants: Plant safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
Wide120 cm · 300 litres33 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres72 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres133 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres160 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along69 species

and 45 more species

Caution28 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together2 species

Water temperatures do not overlap

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Midwater, close to the bottom
Largest on record: 14 cmtotal length
Aquarium trade: Very common

Conservation status

Classification

OrderCyprinodontiformes
FamilyPoeciliidae
GenusXiphophorus
SpeciesXiphophorus hellerii
Described byHeckel, 1848

In other languages

English: Green Swordtail
German: Schwertträger
Spanish: Cola de espada
French: Porte-épée
Russian: Зелёный меченосец
Japanese: グリーンソードテール
Chinese: 劍尾魚

Quick answers

Swordtail size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 12 cm. The largest on record measured 14 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 15 Poeciliidae species on LumaReef: 2 cm (Tiger Teddy) to 15 cm (Sailfin molly).
Swordtail tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 120 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.
Swordtail water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 20–27 °C, pH 7.0–8.4, hardness 10–25 °dGH. Close to what most Poeciliidae on LumaReef need (22–28 °C).
Swordtail tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 69 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Sailfin molly, Bristlenose pleco, and Giant danio.
Swordtail: alone or in a group?: Keep at least 5 together.
Swordtail and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.