Black Nubian Hi-fin Swordtail

Black Nubian hi-fin swordtails have solid black bodies with black and clear fins, and an extra-high dorsal fin. This bred variation is called hi-fin or sailfin. With the clear and black color of the tail, these fish really do look like they are dragging swords. Black Nubian hi-fin swordtails look great against green plants and reflect light with an iridescent sheen. We recommend the purchase of at least one pair, male and female. Pairs will tend to stay together as they swim about the tank.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Swordtails are active swimmers, so give them plants, open swimming space and a tight-fitting lid, since they are good jumpers. They prefer hard, alkaline water.

Feeding: Feed a quality flake or small pellet with some vegetable content once or twice a day. They also enjoy frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Tankmates: Swordtails get along with most peaceful community fish of similar size, such as platies, mollies, larger tetras, danios, rainbowfish, gouramis and corydoras. Keep more females than males, since males chase females and may spar with each other. Avoid fin-nippers and large cichlids.

Good to know: Lyretail and hi-fin swordtails have extra-long fins, so keep them away from fin-nippers like tiger barbs. Many lyretail males have an elongated gonopodium and can't breed, so lyretail fry usually come from lyretail females mated with standard-finned males.