There are only a few fish that can impress the fish keepers and become one of the most popular aquarium fish species. Swordtail fish is on that list. Swordtails are popular because they are easy to maintain, peaceful and hardy. This makes them an excellent choice for beginners as well. Also, choosing the best tank mates for your swordtail fish will help them familiarize themselves instantly.
Swordtails are community fish and they like to hang out in groups. They are active little creatures that like to swim around the tank to engage with other fish. Thus, choosing the right tank mates for your fish is very crucial. Like humans, fish also tend to vibe with fish that have similar tastes and temperaments.
In this manner, before choosing a companion for your swordtail, you should get to know them a little better. Here is a short swordtail fish profile:
Swordtail Fish Profile:
| 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 (gonopodium)
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) |
| Water Temperature Range | 65-82 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Tank Region | Usually found dwelling along the mid and top section of the tank |
| Tank Size | At least 15-gallon (45L) or larger |
| Temperament | Social, Peaceful, Hardy |
| Food | Omnivorous (Algae, Bloodworms, Baby shrimps, etc.) |
| Lifespan | 3-5 years |
The above table contains all basic information on swordtails. This will help us select perfect companions for the swordtails.
Before we go on to discuss the best tank mates for swordtail fish, let us look into why swordtails need a companion.
Can Swordtails Live Alone?
Yes, swordtails fish can live alone, but I do not suggest you keep them without company. Swordtails are social fish they thrive more when in groups.
You should note that swordtails are neither schooling fish, nor do they shoal. However, they are social and love to hang out with other fish in the tank.
Swordtails hate being alone. They spend most of their time exploring the tank and enjoy good company. So, it would not be fair if you isolate your swordtail. This can lead to various issues like loneliness, stress, weakness.
Thus, we must place swordtails with the coolest friends so that they can have a good time.
Why Do Swordtails Need Tank Mates?
Swordtails are extremely active and love socializing. Hence, they need tank mates. They flourish when kept with suitable companies. You should keep swordtails with other similar kinds of fish for the following reasons:
To Keep Them Active
When swordtails are isolated, they don’t have anyone to interact with. Social fish like the swordtail need maximum interaction, otherwise, they become inactive and timid. If this continues, your swordtail will develop weaknesses and deteriorate its health.
Stress Relief
Isolation can stress out your swordtails. When they are alone and have no company, your swordtails can be stressed. This can lead to depression.
Good company can make your fish happy and relaxed. This will help them lead healthy lives. Thus, swordtails need to be in groups with other tank mates.
Healthy living
The worst thing you can do to a social fish is to keep them alone. The isolation will introduce your fish to a lot of health issues.
The stress, inactiveness, and loneliness will open ways to dangerous diseases. Living alone will hamper both the mental and physical health of your swordtail. These factors will make your fish lose their appetite, immunity and they will be at risk of various diseases.
Thus, if you want an active, healthy swordtail, consider selecting the best tank mates for your swordtail fish.
What Fish Go Well With Swordtail Fish?
Swordtails are an excellent community fish and can lighten up any aquarium. Choosing fish that go well with swordtails down to compatibility with water parameters, size, behavior, and temperament.
Swordtails prefer the water temperature between 18-28 degrees Celsius, with a neutral pH level and hardness of about 12-30 GH. They are small, peaceful, and amicable fish. Therefore, they naturally enjoy the company of fish that portray similar characters.
Swordtails do not go well with large and aggressive fish. Such fish contradict in behavior with your swordtail and they can enjoy themselves. Larger and aggressive fish will try to attack and prey upon them. So, keeping such fish with swordtails is not a very good idea.
Similarly, swordtails also should not be kept with loners. When active and social fish like swordtails are kept with fish who do not like interacting, your swordtail will be isolated regardless.
For such reasons, selecting fish with matching compatibility is a must.
Best Tank Mates For Swordtail Fish:
Here, I have managed to list out a few of the fish that can be a good tank mate for your swordtail fish.
Platies
Swordtails are livebearers; meaning they bear live babies instead of laying eggs. Hence, they are compatible with almost all other livebearers like the platies. Platies make excellent companions for the swordtails.
Swordtails and platies can even breed together because they belong to the same species Xiphophorus. Platies have similar tank requirements and the care procedure is almost the same too.
Here’s basic information on platies:
Water Conditions: 65-82F, 12-30 GH, 7-8 pH
Size: 2.5 inches
Temperament: Hardy, Peaceful
Diet: Live or Frozen foods like brine shrimp, larvae, algae, etc.
Compatibility: 10/10
Guppies
Similarly, another excellent tank mate for your fish is a guppy. Like platies, guppies are also livebearers and need the same tank requirements as the swordtails.
Guppies are small fish with unique color patterns that can be a wonderful addition to your freshwater community tank.
Basic Information:
Water Conditions: 72-84F, 12-30 GH, 7-7.2 pH
Size: 1.2-2.4 inches
Temperament: Hardy, Peaceful, and Schooling
Diet: Live or Frozen foods like brine shrimp, larvae, algae, etc.
Compatibility: 10/10
Mollies
Mollies are also similar to swordtails in temperament and tank conditions making them great tank mates for swordtails.
They are also livebearers, beginner fish, and taking care of them is extremely easy. They are hardy and amicable which will make them great friends for your swordtails.
Basic Information:
Water Conditions: 75-80F, 12-25 GH, 7.5-8.5 pH
Size: 4-4.5 inches
Temperament: Hardy, Peaceful, and Schooling
Diet: Live or Frozen foods like brine shrimp, larvae, algae, etc.
Compatibility: 10/10
Tetras
Various species of tetras can live happily with swordtails. Larger tetras like Lemon Tetras and Cardinal Tetras are the best companions for swordtails. They are not very small and hence there are fewer chances of them getting bullied.
Tetras are colorful, vibrant, and unique. Tetras need a little more coverage because they lay eggs. They are not as easy to breed as swordtails but they make great companions regardless.
Basic Information:
Water Conditions: 78-84F, 3-8 KH, 6.8-7.8 pH
Size: 1.5 inches
Temperament: Peaceful, Schooling
Diet: Live or Frozen foods like brine shrimp, larvae, algae, bloodworms, etc.
Compatibility: 9/10
Dwarf Gourami
Gouramis come in various sizes. The larger species of Gouramis tend to be aggressive and will not be the best tank mates for the swordtails. However, dwarf Gouramis have similar tank requirements and are an ideal company for your swordtails.
Likewise, dwarf Gouramis are colorful with vibrant patterns. They like staying in groups of 4-5. Sometimes, they tend to spar with one another but are peaceful with other fish.
Apart from Dwarf Gouramis, Honey and Sparkling Gourami can peacefully live with swordtails.
Basic Information:
Water Conditions: 80+F, 3-8 GH, 6.8-7.8 pH
Size: 3.5-4.5 inches
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: frozen or live foods like small insects, larvae, algae, etc.
Compatibility: 8/10
Dwarf Otocinclus
Otocinclus are small peaceful fish that can be another wonderful tank mate for your swordtail fish. They prefer small shoals of about 5-6 fish.
Otos are interactive small fishes with calm nature. They are not aggressive so make a wonderful addition with swordtails.
Basic Information:
Water Conditions: 68-82F, 4-18 GH, 5.5-7.5 pH
Size: 1-2 inches
Temperament: Peaceful, Schooling
Diet: most kinds of algae
Compatibility: 9/10
Cory Catfish
Cory Catfish vary in size and even color. But, regardless of the type, they are one of the most compatible fish for swordtail fish. Like swordtails, they are freshwater fish and an excellent choice for novice aquarists.
They are bottom dwellers so setting up the right substrate like gravel is important. You can keep Corys with any freshwater species.
Basic Information:
Water Conditions: 74-80F, 3-10 KH, 5.5-7.0 pH
Size: 1- 2.5 inches
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: bottom feeder, frozen bloodworms, blackworms, etc.
Compatibility: 10/10
Barbs
Barbs; especially Tiger Barbs are super compatible with swordtail fish. Tiger Barbs are colorful schooling fish. They are active and love to explore around the tank to interact like the swordtails.
Barbs are playful, active, and beautiful. They would make a wonderful mate for your swordtail. But, barbs can be aggressive and should be kept in multiple numbers.
Basic Information:
Water Conditions: 74-79F, 4-10 KH, 6-7 pH
Size: 3 inches
Temperament: Hardy, Semi-aggressive
Diet: Live or Frozen foods like brine shrimp, larvae, algae, etc.
Compatibility: 8/10
Angelfish
Angelfish are among other species that are compatible with swordtails because of similar tank requirements and temperaments.
They might be the only type of cichlids that swordtails can live with. They are aggressive with each other but are mostly peaceful with other species like the swordtails. Provide sufficient plantation in the tank to keep your swordtails safer.
Basic Information:
Water Conditions: 74-84F, 3-8 KH, 6.8-7.8 pH
Size: 1.2-2 ½ inches
Temperament: Hardy, Peaceful, and Schooling
Diet: Live or Frozen foods like brine shrimp, larvae, small crustaceans, etc.
Compatibility: 7/10
Goby
Gobies are delightful fish. They are mostly saltwater, but a few species like bumblebee gobies are freshwater and are the best tank mates for your swordtail fish.
They are camouflaged or in vibrant colors and usually found at the bottom of the tank.
Basic Information:
Water Conditions: 72-84F, 12-30 GH, 7-7.2 pH
Size: 1inch
Temperament: Peaceful, Territorial
Diet: Live or Frozen foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, etc.
Compatibility: 10/10
Dwarf Crayfish
Most of the crayfish have long fins and usually prey upon swordtails. However, Dwarf Crayfish are very different than the larger ones.
They do not get larger than an inch and are safe for most community aquariums.
Basic Information:
Water Conditions: 60-75F, 6-12 KH, 6.5-8.0 pH
Size: 1.6-2 inches
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Live or Frozen foods like brine shrimp, larvae, algae, etc.
Compatibility: 9/10
Hatchetfish
Hatchetfish like the Marbled Hatchetfish are most common in trades and are very compatible with swordtails. They are closely related to tetras. They are extremely easy to keep and feed.
Basic Information:
Water Conditions: 72-81F, 2-14 GH, 7-7.2 pH
Size: 1.5 inches
Temperament: Peaceful, Schooling
Diet: Live or Frozen foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, larvae, algae, etc.
Compatibility: 10/10
Danio
Danios are beautiful hardy fish that can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. They are most popular as pets and for experiment purposes.
Danio fish like to school and are easy to take care of. They are peaceful and will make an excellent companion for your swordtails.
Basic Information:
Water Conditions: 70-75F, 3-8 KH, 7-7.8 pH
Size: 1.2-2 ½ inches
Temperament: Peaceful, Schooling
Diet: zooplanktons, insects, larvae etc.
Compatibility: 10/10
Snails
Freshwater snails like the Nitrite Snails are freshwater snails known for their algae-eating capabilities. Similarly, Assassin Snails are another great carnivore snails that can be one of the best tank mates for your swordtail fish.
They are a great catch for swordtail tank mates because they keep the growth of algae and the over-population of snails in check. They are hardy and prefer planted aquariums.
Basic Information:
Water Conditions: 68-84F, 7-12 GH, 7.6-8.4 pH
Size: 2 inches
Temperament: Hardy, Peaceful
Diet: Live or Frozen foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms larvae, algae, etc.
Compatibility: 9/10
Shrimps
Shrimps are the best crusty companions for your swordtails. There are various types of shrimps like Cherry Shrimps, Amano Shrimps, and Ghost Shrimps all are pretty amazing creatures. Hence, shrimps can be one of the best tankmates for your swordtail fish.
Shrimps are smaller than swordtails and your swordtails might try to eat your snails. If you provide them with enough hiding spots and a good diet, they can be best buddies with your swordtails.
Basic Information:
Water Conditions: 72-76F, 8-10 GH, 6.5-7.5 pH
Size: 2 inches
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: bloodworms, larvae, algae, etc.
Compatibility: 7/10
What Kinds Of Fish To Avoid Keeping With Swordtails?
You should avoid keeping fish that are large and aggressive. Fish that portray behaviors like fin-nipping, tail biting should be avoided. Similarly, fish that like to live alone must be avoided too.
Swordtails are peaceful, friendly species and do well with fish that are calm and like to interact. You should avoid keeping swordtails with fish like Cichlids, Sharks, Piranhas, Killifish, etc.
Likewise, although Tiger Barbs and Gobies can make ideal tank mates, they can turn out aggressive so we ought to be more careful.
Conclusion
Therefore, swordtails need good companions to thrive in your tank. They are community fish and love to hang out with good companies. It is our duty to provide swordtails with the most amazing companions so that they can enjoy living in the tank.
Moreover, matching compatibility is the most crucial factor when choosing tank mates for any fish. If your fish enjoy each other’s company, they will be happy, healthy, and live to the fullest.
