Are you thinking of getting a swordtail fish? One of the most important things to do before getting up a swordtail fish is setting a proper tank. If you are pondering on how to set up the perfect tank for your swordtail fish, then this is just the article for you.
The most crucial things that a swordtail fish requires in their tank are ample space, plants and decorations, various equipment like filter and heater, small substrate, and most importantly, proper maintenance of the tank water.
Make sure to add lots of live plants to provide a natural filtration system, along with hiding spots for your fish. You can make your aquarium aesthetically beautiful by adding colorful rocks, lights, bubblers, etc., but make sure to keep in mind the necessities of your fish.
This article will show how you can set up the perfect tank for your swordtail fish to provide them with a lovely home where they can thrive.
What Size Tank Should You Use?
Before setting up the tank with decorations and water, you need to get the right size tank. Swordtail fish are active swimmers, and they need abundant space to swim around healthily. That is why you need to be careful while choosing the tank.
While there is no recommended maximum size for your guppies, there is a recommended minimum. One adult swordtail fish needs around 15-gallons of free space to live and swim properly. So, you should consider the number of fish you have in your tank and provide space for your swordtail accordingly.
You should avoid keeping swordtails alone. Swordtails prefer being in groups of four to six. However, if you do not want to stay in an all-swordtail tank, you can keep it in groups of fish of similar temperament.
Bearing in mind all these things, a tank of at least 30- gallons is the best for your swordtail fish. You should provide 10-gallons of free space to your swordtail at the minimum. They could survive in smaller tanks or even a fishbowl, but it takes no time to develop stress, aggression, and diseases when your swordtails do not get enough swimming space.
Related Reading: How Many Swordtails In 10, 20, 30 Gallon Tank?
What Does the Tank Require?
Swordtail fish are tropical freshwater fish. They need clean, warm, well-conditioned water to live the best life. Thus, installing necessary equipment and decorations is vital as a tank alone is not sufficient.
Here are some of the things that you will require to set up a perfect tank for your swordtail fish:
Heater and Thermometer
The ideal water temperature for a swordtail fish is 65-82 degrees Fahrenheit. It is vital to maintain this temperature throughout to prevent stress and diseases. However, without a tank heater, it won’t be easy to keep the temperature constant.
A water heater in a swordtail tank will make sure that the temperature doesn’t drop drastically. Swordtail fish might tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but sudden drops can be detrimental to their health.
A water heater will ensure that the water temperature stays constant throughout. It is better yet to install two water heaters in case one gets damaged.
Similarly, a temperature can also come in handy with the heater to check if the water is ideal. Various external factors like room heaters, food, etc., can deflect the tank water temperature. Hence a thermometer can help you give instant stats so you can work accordingly.
Tank Filter
Another vital piece of equipment to include in a swordtail fish tank is a filter. To live a happy, healthy life, swordtail fish require clean water with little or no contaminants.
A tank filter in a swordtail tank will remove all waste, such as debris, residues, and toxins such as ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, as well as poisons like ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. Filters come in various shapes and sizes, such as sponge filters, HOB filters, and so on. You should select one that does not stress or suffocate your swordtail fish.
Swordtail fish want cleaner water, and you may not always be able to provide it. On the other hand, Durable filters will filter your waste and make your task 10 times easier.
Moreover, the filter will keep the water moving, giving your swordtail the necessary water current. Swordtails swim in fast-flowing streams and creeks so that the moving water will provide them with a natural feel.
A good quality filter that causes water movement will also work as an air pump, causing aeration and oxygenating the water.
(Find out more on what tank equipment do swordtails need, what they like in their tank, and if you should invest in an air pump and a bubbler.)
Decorations
Decorations will surely make your tank look aesthetic, but they will also keep your swordtails engaged. There are many decorating options you can choose from, but make sure to select the beneficial one for your fish.
It would be best to add decorations that give a lot of hiding spots for your swordtail fish. Also, a densely planted tank is preferred by swordtail fish as it provides them many me-time places. Likewise, live plants will also help to oxygenate the tank, and your swordtail will flourish in such a tank.
When you are choosing plants, you should select plants that keep your swordtail happy. Remember that swordtail fish will try to nibble on aquarium plants at times, so make sure not to add any plants that can be detrimental to your fish.
The best plants for swordtail fish tank are:
- Algae
- Hygrophilia
- Water Sprite
- Java Moss
- Java Fern
- Anubias Nana
- Ambulia
- Duckweed
- Guppy Grass
- Dwarf Hairgrass
- Horn Wort, etc.
Apart from the live plants, other decorations that your swordtail fish will like are:
- Driftwood
- Artificial Plants
- Ornaments
- Seashell
- Natural Slate
- Rocks
- Quartz
- Aquarium Lights, etc.
However, make sure you boil the artificial decorations before adding them to the tank to prevent any toxins from mixing in the water.
Substrate: Sand Or Gravel
Depending on what looks well within your tank, you can add various substrates to your swordtail fish tanks, such as gravel or sand.
However, you must be cautious when selecting the substrate because it will significantly impact your fish and plants over time.
Make sure your substrate doesn’t have any sharp edges. Otherwise, your fish will get wounded when they move about inside their habitat.
Also, if you’re keeping this fish in a planted tank, be sure to use dark-colored substrates.
If you want your fish to focus on attention rather than the substrate, lighter-colored substrates are an excellent choice.
For fish like swordtails, the sand substrate is a better option than the gravel substrate. Gravel is more oversized and chunky with rough edges that can injure your fish. Moreover, since swordtail fish are like densely planted tanks, the sand substrate will also help the plants grow.
Water Conditioner And Biological Supplement
You’ll want to add a natural supplement to your tank when you first start to assist the beneficial bacteria to grow quicker.
A water conditioner will also be required every time you add new water to the tank to make it habitable for your fish.
Swordtail fish are prone to diseases if the water conditions are not met. Thus, you should invest in natural supplements and water conditioners to keep the water well-conditioned.
Fortunately, both are reasonably priced and will last for a long time.
Another best way to keep your water conditioned and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria is through routine water changes. To avoid ammonia and other toxins building up in your tank, you should regularly change the water.
20-25% water change every two weeks is ideal for keeping water fresh and the fish happy and healthy.
You now have a basic understanding of everything you’ll need to get your tank up and to run!
How To Set Up A Perfect Tank For Swordtail Fish?
Now that you know everything that should go in a swordtail tank, You can begin setting up the tank.
The steps that we are going to discuss here is the most effective way to set up a tank to prevent time, energy, and money.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Wash The Tank
Once you have chosen the perfect tank, move on to washing and checking it.
If you got a brand new tank for your swordtail, this is the most important step. Ne tanks might contain glass residue or other chemicals used while shaping the tank. Also, if you add water without cleaning it, it can compromise the water temperature.
To clean the tank, first, fill it with water. In the meanwhile, check for any leakages. Once you do that, clean the tank with a soft sponge from the inside without marking or scratching it.
Once you thoroughly clean the tank, suck the water out with a vacuum, so you don’t smash it while removing water manually.
Place Your Tank
Choosing where you’ll keep the tank is another step closer to setting up the perfect tank.
There are specific considerations while choosing a tank placement. First, it is best if you avoid placing your tank where there is direct sunlight. Direct sunlight will cause the algae and other harmful bacteria to build up due to excess heat, causing harm to water conditions and eventually your fish.
It would help if you placed your tank in places where there is less chance of temperature fluctuation. Thus, avoid areas near the sun and other radiators like the kitchen, fireplace, etc.
Decorate Your Tank
This is probably the most fun part of setting up the tank. It’s time for your creativity to shine. Decorate your tank however you seem fit.
Add your substrate first before adding any other decorations. A 1.5 to 2 inches high substrate will be enough. Swordtail fish usually swim in mid-tank regions, so they do not need a thick substrate layer.
Then, move on to placing the aquarium plants. Make sure you spread it all over the tank so that your fish gets enough hiding spots.
You can also add tiny homes, shells, petrified woods, stones, and other ornaments to give your fish tank that aesthetic feeling.
However, as mentioned above, clean all your decorations before setting them up in your tank.
Add Water To Your Tank
It’s now time to add water to your tank. With the help of a hose or a bucket, you can fill the tank with water.
While you can use tap water to fill, the pH may be too high for some species. As a result, aerating your tap water by storing it in a bucket for a few days would be excellent.
To regulate the pH of the water, you can use a water conditioner or de-chlorinator.
Filling your tank with water should not be done directly into the tank, as this can cause significant disruption to the substrate and decorations.
Instead, use a plate or something similar to catch the water and let it slide off.
Add Your Equipment
Now that the tank has taken shape, it is time to add your filter and heater. Again, you can place them anywhere in the tank. Just make sure to put it in a way that does not disrupt the swim routine of your swordtail fish.
Generally, the best place to add your equipment is at the back of the tank so that it doesn’t disturb the fish or the looks of your tank.
The filter will immediately start working as you add it. However, the heater will take some time to warm your water. Therefore, you should also add a thermometer right about now so you can prevent over-heating.
Cycling The Tank
We must discuss water cycling before introducing any fish into their new environment.
Building a biological filter in an aquarium to enable proper waste removal is known as cycling.
It usually takes 3-4 weeks for the ammonia levels to return to normal. So test the water regularly, and add your swordtails when the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels have been consistently low for a few days.
To do so, set up your tank and add some friendly bacteria to it, which will break down fish waste and uneaten food.
They can be purchased from an aquatic pet store or obtained from another tank.
Checking the Water Meters
It’s time to check on the water parameters after introducing your new companion to their new home.
You can use the following advice:
Use a thermometer to check the water temperature at least once a day. Turn on your heater or air conditioner if the temperature isn’t between 62 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit (17 and 29 degrees Celsius).
Using a test kit, check the pH balance of your water to ensure it stays between seven and eight (slightly alkaline).
Remember to evaluate the general hardness of your water every week or two, depending on how many new fish you add and their size, so your swordtails aren’t stressed out too much if the numbers shift. Use distilled water if it’s higher than roughly 25 ppm.
In this way, you can set up the perfect tank for your swordtail fish.
FAQs
How To Keep Swordtails Happy?
The most effective way of keeping swordtail fish happy in your tank is to care for their needs. It includes a large tank with well-conditioned water, appropriate tank decorations, and equipment, along with compatible groups or mates.
How To Know If Your Swordtail Is Stressed?
The main reason for stress in swordtail fish is when they are not happy with their tank environment.
The signs that your swordtail is stressed are loss of appetite, aggression, inactiveness, staying at the top or bottom of the tank, etc.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we all want’s best for our pets. Setting up the perfect tank for your swordtail fish will keep them happy and healthy./ They will thrive in their tank if you fulfill all their requirements.
Your swordtail fish will need ample space, live plants, and well-conditioned water to set up the perfect tank.
Maintain a good tank, and your swordtail will live the happiest of life!