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Freshwater fishGolden Swordtail
Golden Swordtail
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Add a splash of vibrant gold to your aquarium with the Golden Swordtail! Renowned for its striking color and active nature, this fish is a dynamic addition to any freshwater setup. Ideal for beginners and seasoned aquarists alike, Golden Swordtails are resilient and harmonize well in community tanks.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Xiphophorus hellerii |
| Origin | Central America (captive-bred) |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Adult Size | Up to 3–4" |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Water Temperature | 72–82°F |
| pH | 7.0–8.3 |
| Group Size | Keep more females than males |
| Shipping Size | Approx. 2" |
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 once or twice a day, only as much as they eat in a couple of minutes. 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 and corydoras. Keep more females than males, since males chase females and may spar with each other.
Breeding: Swordtails are livebearers and breed easily. Adults will eat the babies, so thick plants give them a place to hide.
Good to know: Only males grow the long "sword" on the bottom of the tail.
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