The Guppy Site

Origionally written by Butch

Green Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri)



You can’t mistake this male livebearer for any fish as they have swords on its base tail. The only male swordtails has sword while the females doesn’t have any swords expect in the lyre strains which both sexes has two swords on top and bottom of caudal fins. The males can be aggressive to each other if the females are present. They are not herbivores like the Poecilia family. Guppies, Endlers and Mollies belong to the Poecilia while Swordtails and Platies belong to the Xiphophorus. They are known as jumper which they can jump out the tank if you don’t keep the tank covered. Also swordtails and platies don’t need require any salt in their water unlike the mollies. The parents are predatory which they can hunt down their own fry and other fishes that are smaller than swordtails’ mouths. Female swordtails are much slender than the Southern Platy and Variatus and also has more dorsal rays than both Platies. Aquarium strains are much smaller than purebred swordtails as the aquarium strains are already hybrids with Platies and Variatus, cause the swordtails getting smaller due to the hybridization.

Temp: 72-83*F
Size: Males 7 inch long (swords are included) females 5 inch long
• Red eyed Super blood swordtails can reach more than 7 inch long in both sexes.*
• Aquarium strains- Males 5 inch long, females 4 inch long

Fry Size: Average is 60 fry.
Diet: Like frozen bloodworms but will take prepared foods
Tank size: Swordtails- 50gals
Aquarium strains- 30gals for 6 females and a male.
p.h: 6.8 - 9.5