Swordtail fish is a freshwater tropical fish species that is popular among both novice and veteran aquarists. If you read other articles, you might have noticed that I have written swordtail fish that are easy to care for several times. Yes, they are straightforward to care for as they are easy to feed, can live in a wide range of temperatures, and can breed without your help. So, what else would a busy hobbyist want? However, these little guys are also prone to stress and sickness quickly if the care requirements are not met. So, How to take proper care of swordtail fish?
The first and foremost step to carry out while keeping a swordtail fish is identifying what they like. If you take proper care of their tank water, temperature, and cleanliness, feeding them an adequate diet, and maintaining the tank (equipment, decorations, tank mates, etc.).
All these factors directly affect the health and happiness of swordtail fish. If you are not careful about the fish’s preferences, they may get stressed, leading to diseases in no time.
Moreover, to maintain balanced water parameters and feed them a healthy meal, you need to know the ideal for your specific type of swordtail fish. I might have said that swordtail fish are easy to care for, but as delicate as these are, the simplest of mistakes and ignorance can cause a lot of damage.
Swordtail fish do need proper attention. Unfortunately, even the most experienced of swordtail fish keepers get overwhelmed at times. Thus, this article will be your ultimate guide on how to take care of swordtail fish.
About Swordtail Fish
Swordtail fish (Xiphophorus helleri) belong to the Poeciliidae family of tropical freshwater fish. They originated in Central and Northern America’s fast-flowing tropical water sources such as rivers, streams, and creeks. Swordtail fish do not lay eggs since they are livebearers. As a result, swordtails produce live fry. Swordtails are one of the most exotic alternatives because 17 to 18 identified species are bred and interbred into various hues.
Here’s a tabulated description of swordtail fish:
| Experience Level | Beginner – Easy to care for, hardy fish, easy to breed, and are undemanding. |
| Appearance | Small and elongated, males have a sword-like tail extension and an anal fin.
Females lack those and have rounded tails. |
| Adult Size | Male Swordtail Adult Size: 5.5” Female Swordtail Adult Size: 6”(an inch longer than males) |
| Water Condition | Hard, Alkaline water(12-30dGH)
Freshwater |
| Water Temperature Range | 65-80 Degree Fahrenheit |
| Temperament | Social, Hardy, Community Fish |
| Tank Region | Usually found dwelling along the mid and top section of the tank |
| Tank Size | At least 15-gallon (45L) or larger |
| Food | Omnivorous (Algae, Bloodworms, Baby shrimps, etc.) |
| Lifespan | 3-5 years |
Are Swordtail Fish Easy To Care For?
I might have told a hundred times that one of the main reasons all love swordtail fish is that they are straightforward to care for.
Swordtail fish care isn’t difficult. Their adaptability and hardiness make their upkeep simple. These freshwater species are not difficult to handle and are an excellent choice for novices.
Taking care of the fish should be simple as long as you follow the fundamental guidelines. This article will give you all the deets on how to take care of swordtail fish like a pro.
How To Take Care Of Swordtail Fish?
If you know the swordtail fish preferences, taking care of swordtail fish is not that difficult. All you have to do is maintain the water parameters, provide abundant space for your fish, and make sure it seats properly.
Here are some ways to take proper care of your swordtail fish:
Tank Size
Swordtail fish do not grow much, but they are larger than most similar species. An adult swordtail fish measures up to 5.5 inches when fully grown. So, looking at the size of the fish, you might think that they are average-sized so that they won’t need much space. But, unfortunately, that’s the first mistake you make.
Swordtail fish are small fish that do not require a lot of room. However, because they are aggressive swimmers, it is best to give them plenty of room to swim. A 15-gallon tank is an excellent place to start. This equates to a 15-gallon tank for a single fish. If you want to have additional fish in the tank, you’ll need a tank that’s at least 30 gallons.
A tank with a minimum capacity of 30 gallons will provide ample space for your swordtail to swim around and explore. But, in the meantime, there will be plenty of room for more fish to flourish.
Maintaining Water Parameters
Maintenance of tank water is probably the most fundamental step in swordtail fish care. An imbalance in temperature, pH, and hardness can be problematic to fish health and susceptibility to dangerous diseases.
Well-conditioned tank water for swordtail fish looks like this:
- Water pH ranges from 7.0 to 8.4
- The hardness of the water: 12-30 DH
- Temperature: 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit (21-28 degrees Celsius)
Water Temperature
Swordtail fish are found in freshwater bodies naturally. Because they are tough, they can tolerate a broad range of temperatures. 65-820F, on the other hand, is appropriate.
You may keep the tank at this temperature by covering it with a lid or hood. Then, regularly check the temperature with a thermometer. Stronger lighting, insulation layers, and heaters can all help keep your water warm.
Hardness And pH Of The Water
To allow the fish in your tank to grow, it’s critical to keep the pH and hardness of the water in check. The mineral levels in the water can be characterized as water hardness. Hard water contains a lot of dissolved minerals.
You can add minerals to your water to maintain the required hardness. Regular water changes, the use of water remineralizing agents, and corals containing calcium or magnesium can all help you meet your GH goals.
Filtration Of Water
Water filtration regularly removes excess waste from the water, removes pollutants like ammonia and nitrate, and allows your fish to breathe easier. There are a variety of aquarium filters available to help you with this task.
You can keep swordtail fish in your tank without filters, but you’ll need to clean the water and add many live plants to make up for it. Keep track of your water parameters to ensure that your fish have the best possible life.
Water Changes
It’s important to change and filter your water regularly to avoid illness and infection, as well as to encourage breeding. In addition, it is critical to change your water regularly to preserve good water quality.
Changing 25% of the tank water once a month is a good place to start regarding water quality. Water change aids in eliminating nitrogenous contaminants, and decomposing waste material reduces water clouding, both of which are necessary for a healthy aquarium.
Tank Decorations
They can be found in the wild throughout North and Central America’s freshwater bodies, such as Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. They’d be surrounded by tropical running water, lush foliage, and rocks and garbage, of course.
Even though swordtails are robust fish, it is better to introduce them to their native tank environment. The most crucial things a swordtail fish requires are space and suitable hiding plants.
Swordtails are also active, swimming about the plant’s mid and surface levels. As a result, the substrate shouldn’t be your primary focus. Instead, you can choose a substrate that is suitable for your tank’s other bottom-dwellers.
If you don’t have any other fish in your tank, the sandy substrate is the ideal option, as it is in their native environment. You can also offer them additional shelter by using rocks and driftwood.
Similarly, the plants you place in your tank should be your primary emphasis. This fish’s natural environment is densely planted. They hide in the plants to avoid other fish, the sun, and when they’re stressed.
Plants that provide safe havens for the fish should be used. Artificial or real plants can be used, but live plants help to maintain your aquarium healthy. Popular alternatives include Java fern, Anubis, and others. Distribute your plants throughout the aquarium, allowing enough room for them to swim.
Tank Mates
Swordtail fish are social and get along with practically all related species and a wide variety of others. However, because they are peaceful and kind, it is best to keep them with other passive fish.
Platies, Mollies, Guppies, Betta, Angelfish, Tetras, Dwarf Gouramis, Pearl Danios, Kuli Loaches, and many more species with similar temperaments would make excellent companions. You may also pair them with other swordtail fishes.
However, as previously said, it is preferable not to maintain two male swordfish in the same tank to avoid conflicts and injuries. In addition, having four females to one male is advisable because having the same number of males and females can lead to female harassment.
The Male-to-Female Ratio
A healthy amount of males and females for swordtail fish is roughly one male swordtail with three to four female swordtails. Remember that they are livebearer species, which means the eggs will develop inside their bodies for ten days before being born.
As a result, it’s always ideal to have a few more females than the males can handle, ensuring female safety and diet and reducing male aggression.
Installation Of Appropriate Tank Equipment
Before you set up your tank, you’ll need to install a heater, filter, and other equipment to guarantee that you don’t overstock it with swordtail fish, which could lead to poor water quality.
The heater for swordtail fish helps maintain the proper water temperature, and the filter ensures that they have clean water all day.
Swordtail Fish Nutrition
Aside from their regular food, you can feed swordtail fish live or dried brine shrimp or any small worms they enjoy. However, make sure you’re providing them high-quality food to avoid water chemistry deficits and imbalances, which can cause disease or even death in your fish.
You can feed your swordtail flake food, pellets, or live foods like bloodworms, blackworms, daphnia, brine shrimp, and mosquito larvae, as well as mosquito larvae. Their frozen food tastes almost identical to their fresh diet, and you can also feed them frozen vitamins. Make sure to include some plant-based nutrients, such as algal wafers, because they enjoy herbivorous nutrients as well.
They’re small fish. Therefore a modest bit of food a couple of times a day would be sufficient.
Prevent And Treat Diseases
Lastly, it is always best to prevent your fish from getting diseases before they get ill by maintaining good living conditions inside their tank. Check them regularly for any signs of disease and immediately treat it before it gets worse.
Why Is It Important To Look After Your Swordtail Fish?
Taking care of your swordtail should always be a top priority because it will keep them healthy at all times, even if you can’t see what’s going on with their body.
Swordtail fish are livebearers, which means they give birth to a large number of young. Mother platy will always ensure that all of her fry are alive until they are ready to face the outer world.
If your tank has a pregnant female, make sure there is enough space or hiding spots for her not to feel endangered.
Make sure the water in your tank is clean all of the time to avoid diseases and infections, which can be fatal in some cases.
It would help if you also made sure there are no sharp items or anything else that could harm your fish, as this could result in injuries to their bodies as well as their eyes.
By following these steps, you may ensure that your fish live longer and are protected from damage. This is one of the reasons why it’s critical to look after your swordtails.
FAQs
How To Take Care Of Pregnant Swordtail Fish?
Taking care of swordtail females during pregnancy is crucial. Pregnancy can be hectic for your swordtail fish, so they need more attention until they give birth.
You can take care of your pregnant fish by providing a diet enough for both the mother and her babies inside; by providing enough tank space; providing a separate breeding tank for privacy and comfort if possible; providing enough hiding space; and of course, maintaining the water conditions as per necessary.
How To Take Care Of Swordtail Fry?
Swordtail fry is small fish that can easily be preyed upon by other fish, including their parents. The best way to take care of swordtail fry is to separate them from the parents. They may have difficulties surviving in the main tank, so providing hiding spots, maintaining water parameters, and feeding them properly until they are juveniles is important.
Conclusion
Finally, keeping your swordtail fish alive and happy should always be a top priority. You should keep your swordtails happy and healthy.
We know that deep down inside these small fishes are tremendous personalities full of delight, even if they don’t express it. As owners, it is our obligation to take proper care of our pets not to worry about anything going wrong with them.
In the comments section below, you can ask any questions you have about swordtail fish care, and if you have any suggestions for how to care for this type of fish, feel free to share them as well!
