Swordtail fish are colorful freshwater fish that can be an excellent choice for beginner aquarists. They come in various colors and patterns. Similarly, their sword-like tail makes them unique among other pet fish. Swordtail fish are small hardy creatures, so taking care of them is not that difficult. If you pay attention to their requirements, you will be more than happy to pet them. However, since your busy schedule won’t let you take care of your fish, there are a few aquarium equipment that could come in handy. So, what aquarium equipment are necessary for swordtail fish?
There is various aquarium equipment available that makes taking care of your swordtail fish easier as it helps maintain the ideal water conditions. The most valuable and important aquarium equipment are water heater, filter, air pump, aquarium lights. You could also invest in bubblers and gravel vacuum.
Likewise, other equipments involve a suitable substrate, lots of plants (live plants are better), and other decorations. It would be helpful to keep a lid, too, as swordtail fish sometimes tend to jump out of the tank.
Out of all this equipment, the water tank itself is the most important of it all. Swordtail fish are active swimmers, and male swordtail fish tend to be a bit territorial at times. So, they need abundant space to swim around.
This blog post will talk about all the aquarium equipment necessary for a swordtail fish, along with its importance and use. So, stay tuned!
What Aquarium Equipment Are Necessary For Swordtail Fish?
It is essential to give your fish a well-equipped tank so that they can thrive in your tank. To take care of your swordtail fish, you need to be conscious of their basic requirements.
Similarly, with freshwater fish like the swordtails, maintaining the tank water and its temperature is crucial.
There is various equipment that can make your job ten times easier. Here are a few must-haves in a swordtail tank:
Large Tank
The foremost thing you need to give a swordtail is a large tank with vast swimming space.
One swordtail fish need about 15-gallon of swimming space, and each swordtail fish needs an additional 5-6 gallon. A larger swimming space will help swordtail fish roam around the tank actively.
Swordtail fish love to swim around the tank engaging with their tank mates, so a large tank with abundant space is crucial. In addition, swordtail fish love to stay in the group, so a group of 4-5 swordtails needs a tank as large as 30-gallons.
Swordtail fish can survive in a glass bowl and tank of 10, 20 gallons but not in the best conditions. So, a large tank with swimming space is a priority for swordtail fish.
Since swordtail fish is in the middle reason of the tank, it is better to have a long tank rather than a high tank.
Water Heater
We all know that swordtail fish are tropical species, so they like warmer temperatures. The ideal water temperature for a swordtail fish is 65-82 degrees Fahrenheit. However, without a tank heater, it won’t be easy to keep the temperature constant.
A water heater 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. A thermometer can also come in handy with the heater to check if the water is at an ideal temperature.
Filter
A filter is another important piece of equipment to install in a swordtail fish tank. Swordtail fish need clean water with less or no toxins to live a happy, healthy life.
A tank filter will filter out all the waste like debris, residues, etc., along with toxins like ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. There are various kinds of filters like sponge filters, HOB filters, etc. You should choose one that doesn’t stress out your swordtail fish or suck it up.
Swordtail fish prefer cleaner water, and you won’t always be able to make the regular changes. However, durable filters will filter your wastes and make your job ten times easier.
Aquarium Lights
Aquarium light is not a dire necessity if your fish tank is in a well-lit place. However, if your tank is in a place where enough sunlight doesn’t reach, only then will you need proper lighting.
Most owners like to add aquarium lights to the tank as it makes your tank look aesthetically excellent. However, swordtail fish need 8-10 hours of lighting. So, if you are to use a light in your aquarium, make sure to use a LED light that doesn’t cause much stress to your fish.
If your tank has live plants, then they need proper lighting to grow as well. But make sure to turn the lights off at night because swordtail fish do not need light at night.
Air Pump
An air pump is another aquarium equipment that is necessary for swordtail fish. Swordtail fish need well-oxygenated water. An air pump doesn’t precisely provide oxygen in the water, but it helps produce oxygen faster.
An air pump will increase surface agitation, and your tank will be adequately oxygenated. Oxygen is essential for swordtail fish to survive underwater. The air pump will keep the water aerated, and your swordtail will get enough oxygen to breathe correctly.
Substrate
Since swordtail fish swim in the upper region of the tank, the substrate is not the biggest concern. However, they sometimes tend to go to the surface, either searching for food or sometimes to sleep. In such a case, a suitable substrate would be necessary.
Sand and gravel are the two most used substrates. Swordtail fish would prefer sand to gravel because sand is soft and coarse. Gravels are more prominent and sharper and can injure your fish.
It will also make your tank more distinct.
Decorations
Swordtail fish would love a well-decorated tank. This is because they like to explore around, and new decorations would make their exploration exciting. Similarly, swordtails occasionally look for hiding spots when pregnant, ill, or stressed.
Aquarium decorations like rocks, driftwoods, seashells, plastic plants, etc., will provide your swordtail fish hiding spots when they want privacy. You’d think that plastic or silk plants would be best because swordtails will eat plants in your tank, but live plants are way more beneficial for your tank.
Live plants not only provide your swordtail fish hiding spots they also help in oxygenation and filtration.
Thus, these are some of the must-have aquarium equipment necessary for your swordtail fish.
Additional Requirements For A Swordtail Fish Tank
There is a lot of secondary equipment that you will need to keep your tank well-conditioned. If you are new to aquarium fish keeping, then the following appliances will make your job easier.
Bacteria Starter
A bacteria starter is a piece of gravel or substrate from an existing aquarium that has beneficial ‘good’ bacteria and allows you to immediately introduce them into your new aquarium rather than waiting for them to develop over time.
De-Chlorinator
A de-chlorinator removes chlorine and other potentially dangerous contaminants from your tap water. If you don’t remove or reduce chlorine before putting it in your tank, it will harm your fish. You can purchase special aquarium de-chlorinators for this purpose, but an ordinary household de-chlorinator will suffice.
Gravel Vacuum
You can use a gravel vacuum for various tasks, but it’s most handy when cleaning the substrate in your aquarium. It works by sucking out any dirt or waste accumulated on the bottom of your tank and collecting it in a compartment at the end, so you don’t have to remove it by hand.
Fish Net
A fishnet is another item that will come in helpful if you intend on introducing any additional fish to your tank and need to catch them, or if you need to see a sick one from the main tank and cure it elsewhere.
Bucket
A bucket is essential for any new fish owner since you may use it to move water from the old aquarium to the new one while ensuring that it does not spill! It will also help change or clean your tank, as it will provide a safe place for the fish to be placed when you need to pick up your aquarium.
Breeding Box
You can use a breeding box for various purposes, but it will be required in this case if you plan on keeping any baby or small swordtail fish secure until they are large enough to return to the main tank. If you opt to utilize a breeding box, keep in mind that the gap should not be too large, as this can cause your fish to swim out.
Set of Test Kits
It is critical to get a test kit to monitor ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels, along with the pH in your aquarium water. This will help to keep both you and your fish healthy in your aquarium! Furthermore, you should remove any uneaten food before it sinks to the bottom and begins to rot. This can produce severe surges in ammonia levels, damaging to your fish if not removed (and the beneficial bacteria in the tank).
Important Things To Keep In Mind While Setting Up A Swordtail Fish Tank
There are a few things without which your swordtail fish will have a hard time surviving. Some of them are:
Tank Size
As mentioned before, a large tank solves half your problems. Swordtail fish need enough space to swim and explore.
A large tank will not only provide your fish with vast swimming space, but it will also help to balance aeration, water temperature, and pollution.
So, make sure to set up a large tank that has enough space for your fish and also for your decorations and necessary equipment.
Nitrogen Cycle
The nitrogen cycle is the next factor to address. Ammonia poisoning in aquariums can be fatal to fish, so maintain a consistent nitrogen cycle in your tank.
This process must occur before adding fish, so you’ll need a water testing kit and a de-chlorinator to keep track of it.
The nitrogen cycle describes the rise and fall of ammonia and nitrite levels in the environment. Because ammonia poisoning can kill your fish, this is a necessary process for any aquarium.
The nitrogen cycle in an aquarium begins with ammonia building up in the tank, which bacteria then convert to nitrite. Different microorganisms convert nitrite to nitrate in this environment.
Changing Water
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 an excellent 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.
The last thing you want is for your fish’s surroundings to get contaminated, as this can lead to health issues. Also, remember that pregnant or baby platies are especially sensitive, so you may need to change the water more frequently if there are several baby swordtails.
FAQs
Here are some of the related questions related to swordtail fish care.
Are Swordtail Fish Hard To Keep?
Swordtail fish care isn’t complex. 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.
How To Keep Swordtails Happy?
Following proper guidelines about the swordtail fish care guide will keep your fish happy.
If you provide your fish with a proper tank environment with compatible tank mates, ideal water parameters, and a balanced diet, they will be happy and flourish.
What Do Swordtails Like In Their Tank?
Swordtail Fish like warm temperatures, balanced pH, alkaline water, live plants, etc. They also like aerated water, compatible tank mates, good food, dim lighting, etc.
Conclusion
Finally, swordtail fish are a delightful addition to an aquarium, and maintaining swordtail fish can help you establish a tranquil environment. Swordtail fish are easy to maintain, pleasant, and can be kept in a community aquarium.
Remember that swordtail fish prefer warmer water than most other freshwater fish. So if you get swordtail fish, make sure the tank is approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit or won’t live in your climate.
Swordtail fish can be entertaining and easy to maintain with a bit of effort. Don’t hesitate to get one as a pet. Bring them home and sit back and watch them swim. The only thing you’ll need is the most excellent Molly fish tank equipment.
Best of luck with it!
