Swordtail fish is a tropical freshwater fish that all aquarium hobbyists love. You might have heard many times that swordtails are easy to take care of. So, if you are thinking of getting one, how can you recognize one? What does a swordtail fish look like?
Swordtail fish are easy to distinguish from other fish due to their unique appearance. Swordtail fish, like the name, has a sword-like protrusion on its lower caudal fin. These are the most notable features which help you identify a swordtail fish. In addition, female swordtails lack the sword extension, so it gets easier to identify male and female swordtail fish.
Most swordtail fish in the wild are olive green in color with a reddish-brown lateral stripe along the length of the body. The sword of the male swordtail is yellow with black edges. However, captive breeding has resulted in various kinds of swordtails with beautiful colors and patterns.
This blog post will talk about the unique appearance of swordtail fish, along with their size, breeding, habitat, care guide, and many more.
What Type Of Fish Is Swordtail Fish?
Swordtail fish is a species of livebearer fish that belong to the family Poeciliidae. They carry their young ones in their pouch until they are fry, instead of laying eggs.
Swordtails are freshwater fish that originated from Central America. They are tropical fish found in warmer and fast-flowing waters of creeks, springs, and rivers.
These fish are hardy and can survive for up to five years under favorable conditions. They have become one of the favorites among community aquarium fish because of their colorful appearance and peaceful nature.
What Does A Swordtail Fish Look Like?
Swordtail fish are livebearer fish. Almost all livebearer fish like guppies, mollies, platies, etc., look alike. However, the swordtail’s unique features make it different than others.
Appearance Of Swordtail Fish
As mentioned above, the first thing you will notice is the caudal fins. Swordtail fish have an elongated lower lobe on their tail that looks like a sword, hence the name. However, only male swordtails have the extension, so it’s easier to identify the sexes.
Size Of Swordtail Fish
Swordtail fish are medium-sized fish and grow up to six inches long. The male swordtail fish are usually an inch smaller than the female swordtail fish.
The male swordtail grows to a maximum length of 5.5 inches, and the female to 6.3 inches. However, among different types of swordtail fish, few like the red and green swordtails grow more significantly.
Color Of Swordtail Fish
You can expect a wide variety of colorations in swordtail fish depending on which type of swordtail you possess.
Around seventeen to eighteen species of swordtails are found in the wild, all of different colors and patterns. You can find vibrant reds, yellows, and blacks.
There are also other colorations of swordtails like pineapple and marigold swordtails. These swordtail fish are uniquely colored swordtails with iridescent shades of yellow, red, and orange.
Patterns And Stripes Of Swordtail Fish
Swordtail fish have stripes that go from their dorsal fins to the caudal fin. They also have a black lateral line that helps them swim.
They have a mix of bars and stripes. There are also longfin and lyretail varieties of swordtails with elongated dorsal, pectoral, and tail fins to add to their eccentricity.
Body Structure Of Swordtail Fish
Swordtail fish are small fish having a slender, streamlined bodies. They have a compressed body shape like most livebearers. These fish also have protruding ventral fins and dorsal fins.
They have scales of different colors that can even change depending on their habitat’s living conditions and lighting.
Therefore, depending on body size, colors, and patterns, a typical swordtail fish looks like.
Different Types Of Swordtail Fish And What They Look Like
Swordtail fish are bred in captivity, leading to swordtail fish with vibrant colors, stripes, and patterns.
Similarly, a few hybrid species such as guppy swordtail and platy swordtail have unique patterns and stripes.
Different types of swordtail fish with their looks are:
Green Swordtail
Green swordtails are generally olive green with red or brown streaks along their sides. They have medium to significant length tails elongation in the lower lobes, yellow with black edges.
Golden Swordtail
There are somewhat gold swordtails with three horizontal stripes on the sides. The females are beige. They are smaller than other swordtails.
Marbled Swordtail
There are various swordtails with different patterns. For example, there are regular marbled swordtails that are black and white. There are also red and blue marbled swordtails.
Spotted Swordtail
Some swordtails like Chiapas, Yellow, and Delicate swordtails have various spots along their flanks. They are covered in black spots. Chiapas has white and green spots.
Long-Tailed Swordtail
As mentioned above, some swordtails are long-finned and lyretailed that have elongated fins. However, Lyretail and pineapple swordtail are a few of the swordtails with elongated swordtails.
Therefore, there are various swordtails with different colors and patterns. However, no matter the colors and patterns, the basic appearance of swordtails is the same.
Habitat And Tank Set Up For Swordtail Fish
This freshwater species can be found in North and Central America’s rivers and streams. They’d be surrounded by tropical flowing water at this location.
Among the boulders and debris, there would be enough greenery to plant. The plants give protection from other fish, as well as from the rushing water and the sun. These fish are occasionally found in salty environments, although this is uncommon and will reduce their tank life expectancy.
Swordtails are hardy creatures, but they require a climate similar to their original tropical freshwater habitat.
Setup of the Tank
Because Swordtails rarely go to the bottom of the tank, the substrate isn’t a significant worry. However, if you want to get as near their natural habitat as possible, choose sandy substrates.
Rocks and bogwood give your tank a natural feel, and they also serve as caves and crevices.
Because these fish need to hide when they are agitated, plants are a crucial feature. Therefore, distribute them throughout the tank, but leave plenty of room for swimming.
There are a plethora of plants to select from. Some excellent choices include Anubias Nana, Java Fern, and Dwarf Hairgrass.
In terms of water quality:
You must maintain a pH of 7-8.4.
The hardness should be between 12 and 30 dGH.
Finally, the temperature should be between 70 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
Changes in these water conditions could result in health issues, so keep an eye on them.
You don’t need a pump to circulate the water around your tank because they live in flowing water; the filter outflow should provide enough current.
FAQs
What Colors Do Swordtail Fish Come In?
Swordtail fish are available in several hues, including orange, blue, black, and white. Their large tail fin, however, makes them immediately identifiable.
Does Swordtail Fish’s Appearance Affect Their Lifespan?
Yes, the appearance of a Swordtail fish can influence its lifespan. For example, longer lives are more likely for swordtail fish with an egg-shaped body than swordtail fish with long fins or short tails.
What Is The Maximum Size Of A Swordtail Fish?
Swordtail fish can grow to be up to six inches long. The females are an inch or two longer. Some swordtail species are small and increase only up to two to three inches.
What Is the Life Expectancy of Swordtail Fish?
In a well-maintained tank that gives them the proper care and habitat, swordtail fish can survive for more than ten years. However, their typical lifespan is usually relatively short.
Conclusion
To summarize, swordtail fish is one of the most popular and attractive aquarium pets to look at! Swordtails are available in a variety of colors, including orange, black, and white. In addition, swordtail fish have specific characteristics, keeping them isolated from other swordtails or in a friendly setting.
If you’re looking for a fish to keep as a pet, swordtails are one of the most excellent options.
I hope you found this article to be informative and that it solved all of your swordtail fish-keeping questions! Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require additional information.-
