Black Nubian Swordtail

Black Nubian swordtails have solid black bodies with black and clear fins. With the clear and black color of the tail, these fish really do look like they are dragging swords. Black Nubian 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: Swordtails are livebearers and breed readily. Fry are born free-swimming and will be eaten unless there are dense plants or a breeding box for them to hide in. Only males grow the "sword" on the tail.