Marigold Swordtail

The marigold swordtail is a prize color variation of breeders and is the brightest pattern of all the swordtails. The vibrant yellows and oranges get stronger as the fish gets older, and some color-enhancing flake food helps too. Marigolds are a bit more expensive than the green or pineapple swordtails because they are a little more difficult to breed.

If a certain sex ratio is desired, we will do our best to fulfill it. A good ratio is two females to one male, so the females get some rest.

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.