Swordtail
Easy carefreshwater
Overview
The green swordtail is a species of freshwater/brackish fish in family Poeciliidae of order Cyprinodontiformes.
Water Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 18–28°C (64–82°F) |
| pH | 7.0–8.3 |
| Adult Size | 12–14 cm (4.7–5.5 in) |
| Min Tank | 20 gallons |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years |
Tank Setup
Feeding
Omnivore — flake food, vegetables, frozen brine shrimp
Compatibility
Breeding
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons — licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Taxonomic data: Xiphophorus hellerii Heckel, 1848 — GBIF (2026). Wikipedia summary: Swordtail — CC BY-SA 4.0.
Care parameters cross-referenced with Seriously Fish.
Quick facts & gear
- Min tank size
- 20 gallons
- Temperature
- 18–28°C (64–82°F)
- pH range
- 7.0–8.3
- Adult size
- 12–14 cm (4.7–5.5 in)
- Lifespan
- 3–5 years
- Origin
- Member of family Poeciliidae, order Cyprinodontiformes. See species profile for distribution details.
- Diet
- Omnivore —flake foodvegetablesfrozen brine shrimp