One of the most well-known and well-liked freshwater fish in aquarium hobby is the green swordtail. This species, which is distinguished by its vivid green hue and the characteristic sword-like extension on the male’s tail, adds a lively pop of color to any tank.
Green Swordtails are a great choice for both novice and seasoned aquarists due to their ease of maintenance and relative hardiness. They are a flexible option for community tanks because they can grow in a range of water conditions.
These fish are renowned for their lively yet tranquil demeanor in addition to their striking appearance. The Green Swordtail is an excellent choice to take into consideration whether you’re setting up your first aquarium or just want to add some variation to your current setup.
- Habitat
- Description
- Nutrition
- Aqvium flake food for aquarium fish
- Behavior and compatibility
- Breeding / reproduction
- Video on the topic
- Green swordtail
- green swordtail and mickey mouse platy
- How dangerous is swordfish?
- Review of a new supply of fish. Super Green Swordtail! News from the fish farm.
- My green swordtails.
- Green swordtail (common)
- Green swordtail in a breeding tank
Habitat
This species is native to Central America. The original natural habitat stretched all the way to Honduras from Mexico. The fish lived in many river systems that empties into the Atlantic.
These days, the distribution area has greatly expanded as a result of aquarists’ fault. Swordtails are found in tropical and equatorial climate zones on nearly every continent (apart from Antarctica).
In a nutshell:
- Aquarium volume — from 100 l.
- Temperature — 16–28 °C
- pH value — 7.0–8.0
- Water hardness — from soft to high (10–30 dGH)
- Substrate type — any
- Lighting — moderate or bright
- Brackish water — acceptable in salt concentrations up to 15 g per 1 liter
- Water movement — weak or moderate
- Fish size — 14–16 cm.
- Feeding — any food
- Temperament — peaceful
- Keeping singly, in pairs or in groups
Description
The species’ most distinctive feature is its long, lower tail rays, which have black borders and a semblance of a sword. When the sword-shaped tail is taken into account, adults can grow to a length of 14–16 cm. The coloring is turquoise and green with silver undertones. The body stripe is followed by a purple stripe. Yellow tail and dorsal fin.
In addition to being smaller and having a brighter appearance, males have a modified anal fin called a gonopodium, which resembles a tube and is used to facilitate fertilization. The female’s caudal fin lacks the "sword" and she is noticeably bigger.
As was already mentioned, there are numerous artificially bred breeds that have different colors, body patterns, and fin shapes, including hybrids with Platies. Each variety’s characteristics are listed in its own article.
The Green Swordtail is a popular choice for both novice and seasoned fish keepers due to its vivid color and lively activity that it brings to any aquarium. It is a hardy freshwater fish.
Nutrition
In the wild, they eat algae and plant fragments along with small invertebrates, such as crustaceans and aquatic insects and their larvae. Because of this omnivorous nature, most feeds can be used in their dry, frozen, or live forms. Swordtail-specific feeds are produced by a number of manufacturers and can serve as the foundation of a daily diet.
Aqvium flake food for aquarium fish
Give our recently released product, which has quickly become a bestseller, a 4.9 on Ozon. Most fish in aquariums can eat flake food. The new European Union (EU 2018/848) standards are followed when making raw materials. includes Omega 3-6 and vitamins A, C, D3, and E.
Aquariums with three to four fish should be no more than 100 liters. The design selection is not important. It has been observed, though, that fish feel most comfortable in conditions similar to a riverbed, complete with snags, rocky substrates, and a moderate current. Overly bright lighting is not ideal. Tall plants can reach up and creep along the surface to provide shade.
A key requirement for effective maintenance is maintaining high water quality within the acceptable range of hydrochemical and temperature values. The aquarium is furnished with the required tools, chiefly a filtration system, and several essential protocols are followed in order to achieve this goal. The latter include cleaning the tank’s side walls and ornamental elements, replacing the old water with fresh each week, and disposing of organic waste (excrement and leftover food).
With a salt concentration of up to 15 grams per liter, or half the salinity of seawater, they can survive in low salinity environments.
Behavior and compatibility
Men vie with one another for attention from women and a place in the internal hierarchy. The nature of rivalry is demonstrative. They can be categorized as peaceful species because they do not engage in conflicts or injuries. Compliant with a wide variety of other peaceful, non-aggressive fish of similar size.
It is important to keep in mind that certain fish, like barbs, have a tendency to damage or bite off their tankmates’ long fins. Given the structural characteristics of their caudal fin, green swordtails may experience barb-like behavior.
Breeding / reproduction
When conditions are right, spawning happens frequently. There is no expression of seasonality in an artificial environment. The alpha male shows that he is ready for mating by circling around the female during breeding. The female accepts courtship when she’s ready. Fertilization takes place within the body. The egg stage is skipped, and the fry emerge fully formed. About one month passes during the incubation phase.
Because the female is in charge of fertilization, she occasionally has the ability to store the male’s semen for several months. The fertilization process will be delayed, for instance, if the water temperature has dropped or if the fish are not being fed on a regular basis because their owners are on vacation.
Fish that are adults can eat their own fry and do not exhibit parental care for them. It is advised to relocate the brood to a different tank in order to protect it.
Attribute | Details |
Scientific Name | Xiphophorus hellerii |
Size | Up to 5 inches |
Temperament | Peaceful, social |
Tank Size | 20 gallons minimum |
Diet | Omnivorous |
Water Temperature | 72-82°F |
pH Level | 7.0-8.4 |
Lifespan | 3-5 years |
Care Level | Easy |
The Green Swordtail adds color and energy to any aquarium while being aesthetically pleasing and low maintenance. These fish are a fantastic option for novice and expert aquarists alike because they are resilient, flexible, and able to flourish in a range of tank conditions.
They add a dynamic presence to your tank with their striking green color and distinctive sword-like tail. Because of their calm disposition, they get along well with a wide variety of other species, which improves the harmony of your aquatic community as a whole.
You can take advantage of the playful and captivating behavior of the Green Swordtail for many years by giving them the proper care and a well-balanced diet. They are a delightful component of your underwater world, not just fish.