Isn’t it wonderful to watch a tank full of different species of fish hanging out together in a tank? The mesmerizing view of colorful fish of unique appearances swimming among the plants is something to root for. The tank that inhabits varieties of fish is called a community tank, and the fish who prefer to live with companies in such a tank are community fish. So, are swordtails community fish?
Yes, swordtail fish are community fish. Like most livebearers, swordtail fish also prefer good company, which makes them a community fish. Swordtails are one of the best community fish species. They get along with a wide variety of other fish species and are comfortable in most environments.
Swordtail fish are of peaceful temperament, so they don’t usually pick up fights with other tankmates unless it comes to their territory, food, or female. Swordtails are active explorers who like to interact with other fish in the aquarium, making them excellent community fish.
What Do You Mean By Community Fish?
A community in a general sense can be understood as a group of living beings, living together in an area that shares a common interest.
Similarly, in the fish world, community fish are those fish who live together in an area who have similar characteristics. The area where they live together is called a community aquarium.
In the wild, certain species of fish are found in specific areas only. But it is the exact opposite in a community tank. You can call it the beauty of such tanks. Community tank assimilates various kinds of fish into the same tank that are otherwise never found together.
Community fish are those fish who live in a community tank and portray similar characteristics like similar water parameters, same diet, and as such. They are compatible with one another and can survive alongside one another in harmony.
Popular community fish include neon tetras, angelfish, platies, rainbowfish, swordtails, mollies, and many more.
Are Swordtails A Good Community Fish?
Swordtail fish is a very popular community fish. They love to engage with other fish in the tank which makes them good community fish.
Swordtails like exploring around the tank and their peaceful temperament help them make friends easily. All the other fish in the tank will love to hang out with your swordtail. They are very social and enjoy good company not only among themselves but also with other similar passive species.
Likewise, swordtails are very hardy. They can tolerate a wide range of water parameters and are comfortable in a variety of environments. This contributes to the fact that they can survive with other species of fish that have slightly different requirements. This makes swordtails a good community fish.
Can Swordtails Live Alone?
Swordtails can live alone, but it is not preferred. Swordtail fish are very active and social. Thus, they should not be placed alone.
Swordtails love to be in groups. If they are kept alone, they will not be able to interact with anyone which will make them dull and inactive. They can turn out to be timid which is not good for their mental prosperity.
Fish are small delicate creatures, the tiniest things can stress them out. When you keep an active social being alone in a separate world, the consequences can be fatal. Social fish like the swordtails need maximum interaction. If they do not get to do what they love, it will stress them out and make them unhealthy.
Do Swordtails Live In Groups?
Yes, being amicable active swimmers, swordtails prefer living in groups. You can find your swordtail hanging out with a variety of fish in a group most of the time.
Swordtails are happier in groups. The groups they form are not schooling or shoaling, but they enjoy good company with fish that have similar characteristics. With the right company, your swordtail will flourish. They will become more interesting and lively.
There are many reasons why they live in groups. The main reason is their peaceful and interactive temperament. In groups, they get to interact with many different kinds of fish and other aquarium creatures which will keep them active.
Similarly, among other swordtails also, they are seen in groups of 3-5. This is preferred for breeding purposes too. You must have 3 female swordtails with a male swordtail so that the mating process does not include abnormal aggressive behavior. Swordtails can also breed with platies who are a very close species to the swordtails.
How Many Swordtails Should You Keep In A Group?
The number of swordtails you keep in a tank depends on the size of your tank. The minimum tank size for one adult swordtail fish should be at least 15-gallons.
Generally, if you plan on keeping only swordtails in a tank, the ratio of 1 male to 3 females should be applied. Keeping more than two males in the same tank with fewer females can cause aggression issues. This also affects the mental stability of females during the breeding season.
If you plan to keep your swordtail in a community tank, make sure you have a big tank because swordtails need plenty of space to swim around. In a community tank, there will plenty of other fish. In such a case, a single male or female can easily survive without hassle.
Swordtails are always seen hanging in a group of 4-5 fish. Hence, the groups should be set accordingly. You must follow the 1:3 ratio even in community tanks if you plan on keeping males and females together.
However, you can add multiple males or multiple females in a tank if you provide them with enough tank space with heavy plantation in case they need protection.
Do Swordtails Need To Be In A Group To Survive?
Yes, being an active social fish, swordtails will flourish best when kept in groups. So you could say that they need to be in groups to survive.
Although swordtails do not school or shoal, they still live in groups. They are amicable and love engaging with other fish in the tank. The interaction keeps them mentally and physically healthy. Hence, they should be kept in groups.
If you leave your swordtail alone, it will lead to loneliness, stress, and inactiveness which will deteriorate your fish’s mental as well as physical stability. Your swordtail enjoys in a group and will best grow in a group. Do not make the mistake of keeping them alone.
Why Should You Keep Swordtails In A Community Tank?
As mentioned earlier, swordtails best flourish in groups. They are active and engaging with other fish keeps them healthy. That is why it is best suited for swordtails to live in community tanks.
In the wild, swordtails are found in freshwater sources of Central and Northern America. There, they do not get to interact with fish that are mostly found in Asia or Europe. Meaning, community tank brings fish from around the world together. It is due to experiments in the community tank, many fish have learned to stay with one another which otherwise they would not in nature.
You should keep your swordtails in a community tank because they prefer good company. A community tank will give your swordtail a chance to engage with new fish which they do not find in their wild habitat.
Swordtail fish do not form school, nor do they shoal. However, they love hanging out with other fish. For this reason, you should keep your swordtail in a community tank.
Are Swordtails Territorial?
Yes, swordtails can be territorial in some cases. Swordtail fish tend to demarcate their territories in the tank. Hence, providing them with enough tank space is a must.
Swordtails, especially, dominant male swordtails set territory in the tank. And, they become aggressive when other fish try to invade that territory. Your swordtail will fight tooth and nail to keep their territory from intrusion.
The territorial nature of your swordtail can create problems in your community tank where plenty of other fish inhabit. Other fish in the tank are likely to swim around. In such a case, if your swordtail becomes aggressive towards its territory, your tank can turn into a fighting arena.
Thus, you should provide enough space for your swordtail in the tank. For that you should get, a tank as large as 30-gallons.
How To Care For A Swordtail In A Community Tank?
Swordtails are usually easy fish to care for. They do not need much attention from their owners. They dwell along the tank to engage with other fish on their own and their breeding process is also voluntary.
Thus, taking care of swordtail fish in a community tank requires only a few procedures. They are listed below:
Enough Space
Swordtails can be territorial. They tend to mark their territory in the tank and can be aggressive towards those that try to infringe. Hence, you must provide your swordtail with enough swimming space.
Similarly, we all know that swordtails are active swimmers. The wonder around the tank during the day. So, they must have enough space to swim around. If your tank is overcrowded or you have your swordtail in a small tank, you will deprive your swordtail of moving around.
Therefore, your swordtails must be given enough space to swim around. Usually, a 15-Gallon tank for a single swordtail is preferred.
Hiding Places
In a community tank, there exist wide varieties of fish. Some fish are larger than your swordtails that will likely prey on your swordtails. For this reason, you have to provide your swordtail with adequate hiding places.
Likewise, female swordtails need more hiding spaces than any other fish in the tank. Swordtails are active breeders and male swordtails can chase can harass your female for mating purposes. In such time, proper and dense hiding places can save your female. The hiding spots can also come in handy for pregnant females, who are stressed and inactive during the time.
Another reason your swordtails need proper hiding space is if you do not have a separate breeding tank. If your swordtail gives birth in a community tank, your fry isn’t safe. They are tiny and can be confused for food by other creatures in the tank, including their parents. Hence, you must provide your swordtails with hiding places in the community tank.
Water Chemistry
Freshwater fish flourish in moderately hard water, and that has a pH of 7.2-8. Freshwater fish can live in temperatures 72-82F. Swordtails are hardy fish and are compatible with a wide range of water parameters. However, they should be placed with other freshwater species that enjoy similar temperatures, hardness, and pH levels.
Community tanks are meant to inhabit fish that are compatible with each other. Hence, swordtails must be kept with fish that enjoy similar water parameters.
Tank Mates
Another important thing to give attention to is the tank mates your swordtails will have in your community tank. Swordtails can live with most types of fish. But there are some fish you must avoid placing with your swordtails.
Create a community tank where only those fish who are compatible with each other can live. If you don’t choose members of your tank properly, it might turn into a war zone rather than a community tank.
Can Swordtail Breed In A Community Tank?
Are swordtails community fish breeders? Breeding your swordtail is an easy task. Swordtails spawn quickly with no intervention from the owners, and the female can give birth to live fry in approximately 28 days. The female can breed in your community tank, however, it is best to provide them a separate breeding tank.
Swordtails bear live fry. In a community tank, if your swordtail breeds amidst other fish, your fry will be in constant danger of being eaten. The fry is small and can be easily mistaken as food by other fish and their parents.
Likewise, breeding can be a difficult process for your female. If they are let to breed in a community tank, they can easily be stressed and show aggression towards other fish mates. If your tank does not have proper hiding spots, both mother and fry can be vulnerable. Hence, it is advised to provide them with a separate breeding environment.
It is best to provide them adequate coverage if they are to breed in a community tank. Also, a breeding net can come in handy to save all the fry.
What Other Fish Can Swordtail Live With?
Choosing the best tank mates is very crucial for any community fish as they flourish among the same kind.
Swordtails are freshwater species and livebearers. Hence, they are compatible with most freshwater species and other livebearers like guppies, platies, etc. other than that, they are compatible with tetras, crayfish, gouramis, freshwater shrimps, etc.
You should avoid keeping them in tanks that contain aggressive and large fish like the cichlids. With the right company, your swordtails will become more active and stress-free which will help them grow to the fullest.
Will Your Swordtail Fight With Other Fish In The Tank?
Swordtail, no matter how peaceful, is also known for its aggressive behavior. They might pick up a fight with other species in the tank.
Swordtails are likely to show aggressive behavior when it comes to territory or food. They are territorial. When they feel threatened about their territory, they might chase other fish around followed by fin and tail nipping.
Similarly, female swordtails might also attack other fish in the tank, especially during pregnancy as they are stressed and vulnerable.
For these reasons, you must provide your swordtail will enough space in the tank.
Community Fish/Tank You Should Avoid When Keeping Swordtail
Swordtail fish are freshwater fish that enjoy tropical parameters. They are small livebearers who like to stay in groups for interaction. We must be very careful in choosing the right kind of community tanks and mates for swordtails.
For example, you cannot place your swordtails in a community tank that consists of large fish like the cichlids or the sharks. In such a tank, your swordtail is likely to be preyed upon.
Similarly, avoid keeping your swordtails with fish that like to live alone like the bettas.
You should avoid community tanks that contain fish like freshwater sharks, eels, glass catfish, plecos, bettas, etc. These fish do not match your swordtails’ energy, temperament, and other characters.
Hence, they should be avoided. And, your swordtails should be kept with their best tank mates for their betterment.
Conclusion
Swordtail fish are wonderful creatures that can make any aquarium lively. Their friendly nature can keep your community tank active and engaging.
If your fish are active, they become less stressed which prevents any dangerous mental or physical distress. Fish that enjoy good company are the best choice for any community tank. Community fish like the swordtail will not only help you make your aquarium appealing to the viewers but they will be benefited from it as well.
Therefore, swordtail fish are a wonderful community fish and deserve a chance in your community tank.