Lyretail swordtail

Popular and colorful fish that livens up any aquarium is the Lyretail Swordtail. A favorite of novice and expert aquarists alike, this fish is distinguished by its unusual lyre-like tail shape.

These fish are a fantastic option for anyone wishing to add some life to their tanks because they are not only gorgeous but also reasonably simple to care for. They can infuse your aquarium with a vibrant energy as they are vigorous swimmers.

It’s crucial to understand a little bit about Lyretail Swordtail behavior, care, and the ideal habitat if you’re considering getting one. Everything you need to know to ensure your Lyretail Swordtail survives in your home aquarium will be covered in this article.

Lyretail swordtail

Picture of a lyretail swordtail

The lyretail swordtail is a structural and color morph. The mountain swordtail is essentially the only pure species of swordtail found in aquariums in Russia and Ukraine. It is a hybrid swordsman, all others. Everything: green, black, white, koi, tiger, flag, gray, brown, crimson, etc. These are all crossbreeds between the tricolor and spotted platy and the Heller’s swordtail.

The requirements for maintaining lyretail swordtails are the same for all species.

Class: Fish with ray fins.

Tooth-carp is the order.

Peciliidae is the family.

Conditions for aquarium maintenance:

The water is between 22 and 26 °C.

(allows for a brief drop in temperature to 15 °C)

PH of "Acidity": 7.0–7.5.

Hardness dH: 6–20 °

10% of the population is non-aggressive.

Maintaining: not difficult at all.

Swordtails are native to Central America, specifically to southern Mexico and Guatemala. They inhabit bodies of water that are heavily covered in a variety of aquatic plants and have stagnant or slowly moving water.

Swordtail fish, or Poeciliidae, are members of the family Poeciliidae. Translating Xiphophorus helleri from Greek means "sword" (xiphos) and "to carry" (phoros). Swordtails were given the prefix "Helleri" in honor of Karl Bartholomeus Heller, a German naturalist who caught the fish in Mexican lakes and brought them back to Europe without incident.

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Compatibility of swordtails

Swordtails don’t bite people. They work well with nearly all small, calm fish. Tetras, minors, ternetias, danios, and other poeciliid fish are among the best neighbors. Nearly all bottom fish, including corydoras, acanthophthalmus, platidoras, Ancistrus, and others, are compatible with them. Get along well with angelfish and "peaceful" cichlids, for example.

Picture of a lyretail swordtail

Large, aggressive fish that hunt swordtails, like cichlids (acaras, astronotus, diamond cichlazoma, etc.), are incompatible with swordtails. Furthermore, it is not advised to combine them with "veil" fish, etc. swordtails can "pinch" the latter due to their slow speed and fluttering fins.

Male swordtails can be aggressive and intolerant of one another. There have been incidents where men have fought and even hurt one another. Consequently, swordtails should be housed in aquariums in haremas with two to three females for every male. Fish are noticeably less aggressive within their own species in this instance. Check out the article on aquarium fish compatibility.

Life expectancy of swordtails

By aquarium standards, swordtails have a medium-long lifespan. In ideal circumstances, their lifespan may reach five years. This link will tell you how long other fish live!

Minimum aquarium volume for swordtails

Small aquariums are home to many inexperienced aquarists’ swordtails. This isn’t totally accurate, though. Swordtails are actually pretty big fish. Additionally, the minimum aquarium size for a harem family of swordtails should be 50 liters, as it is advised that they be kept in a ratio of one male to three or more females. A large aquarium is ideal for swordtails; one hundred liters is preferable.

See HERE for details on how many fish can be kept in an X-liter aquarium (links to aquariums of various sizes are located at the bottom of the article).

Care requirements and conditions for keeping swordtails

Swordtails don’t require any unique circumstances. In actuality, the secret to their wellbeing is keeping aquarium water at ideal parameters. Nevertheless, remember this:

1. Swordtails definitely need aeration and filtration, weekly replacement of up to 1/4 of the volume of aquarium water. It is worth noting that these fish do not need a lot of oxygen, and too frequent change (replacement) of aquarium water is not as beneficial for them as for other types of aquarium fish. Therefore, if you change the water less often, for example, once every 14 days, and not every 7, nothing bad will happen. This rule is appropriate with a stable baibalance and zero nitrogen: NH4, NO2, NO3. As for any other fish, a high concentration of poisons is unacceptable: ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Every conscientious aquarist should always have a set of drop tests on hand, at least for nitrate and phosphate. Fortunately, they have now become inexpensive, there are no problems with their assortment and acquisition. In the stores of your city – offline, you can find inexpensive Vladox tests. Watch out, friends, for nitrogen compounds, keep them in check and everything will be fine for you and your pets.

Using preparations that neutralize harmful substances with clean water during deep water changes won’t be unnecessary. For example, Tetra AquaSafe eliminates heavy metals and chlorine compounds while also including B vitamins, iodine, and other beneficial ingredients for aquariums.

Picture of a lyretail swordtail

Acquire the aforementioned supplies, tools, and other practical items for an aquarist from a reliable FF online retailer, Aqua Logo Shop. We advise against it!

2. The fish are nimble and can jump out of the aquarium and perish, so it needs to be covered with a lid.

3. Swordsmen are at ease among vegetation, just like many other fish. It is advised to use riccia, duckweed, vallisneria, echinodorus, and cryptocoryne as aquarium plants for them. Plant thickets are an imitation of a fish’s natural habitat.

4. You must arrange an open area for swimming in an aquarium before you decorate it. Swordtails have superb swimming abilities. Shelters are not necessary for swordtails.

Feeding and diet of swordtails

Swordtails are omnivores with an easy way with food, and they tend to overeat. They enjoy eating chips, granules, and flakes that have been dried or freeze-dried. Tetramin can be used as a basic food with ease. and foods rich in carotenoids as well.

Allow me to make a small note. Color series feeds – enhance the natural color of fish (red, yellow colors), as it is enriched with pigments such as canthaxanthin, astaxanthin. In fact, carotenoids are natural "coloring" substances. It is astaxanthin that gives plants a red-orange color, carrots are a striking example of this. Or, for example, have you ever wondered why flamingos are pink? Yes, that"s exactly why. Eating plant and animal food rich in carotenoids, flamingo plumage, which is initially white, gradually turns pink. The more birds get this substance with food, the richer and redder the plumage becomes. If you look even deeper, flamingos eat the well-known brine shrimp – pink, saltwater crustaceans and also turn pink.

In actuality, if the meal includes carotenoids, the same thing occurs with fish. We also point out that astaxanthin is an antioxidant, among its other beneficial qualities. Generally speaking, carotenoids benefit all aquatic life, including aquarium plants, in addition to fish. The only requirement is that everything be balanced and in moderation. You must realize that the conditions of the fish’s life—such as stress or spawning—as well as the environment and lighting in the aquarium all affect the fish’s color.

In conclusion, while the Color series feeds are beneficial, they shouldn’t serve as the main course. Imagine what would happen if someone consumed nothing but beets for the entire week. The idea is unsettling. Fish is the same way. I apologize; they start to poop adorable pink poop.

It is crucial in this case, incidentally, to avoid overfeeding the fish in order to prevent digestive tract issues. Once a day, feed the swordfish, and observe fast days. One of the keys to their maintenance success will be this. It should be mentioned that when purchasing any dry food, you should pay attention to the product’s manufacture and expiration dates, avoid purchasing food by weight, and store it in a closed container to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

Reproduction and breeding of lyretail swordtails

Swordtail breeding is not at all a difficult undertaking. Breeding guppies and other livebearers is comparable to this. It can also be said that it genuinely occurs on its own.

Swordtails reach sexual maturity between the ages of 5 and 6 months. It is advised to maintain the fish in a ratio of one male to three females for breeding purposes as well as for their own comfort. The male does shuttle movements back and forth, resembling a mating dance, while courting the female.

Mature eggs are fertilized inside the female. This might take a few days to complete. One noteworthy characteristic of swordtails is their ability to procreate multiple times after fertilization, even in the absence of a male.

The woman is carrying a child for 4-6 weeks. The conditions of the aquarium’s water, temperature, lighting, and feeding affect this time frame.

A "black pregnancy spot" appears under the tail of a pregnant female, and her belly is swollen. A few hours before "giving birth," the female is said to start moving more actively and "rushing" up and down the aquarium glass, causing her belly to become "square."

The female can spawn anywhere from fifteen to one hundred fry at a time. Typically, spawning takes place in the morning.

Monthly births are possible if the water is between 26 and 27 °C and there is ample feeding.

Ensure the survival of the young is perhaps the most crucial rule to follow when breeding swordtails. Regretfully, the parents consume their own young, and since swordtail fry are big and vividly colored, this process essentially becomes eradication. In the wild, swordtails never get to see their young since the current whisks the fry away as soon as they are born. The parents take the fry out of the aquarium to eat.

The aquarium is heavily planted with aquarium plants in order to preserve the progeny. In the aquarium, plants are arranged densely on the surface, in the water column, and on the bottom. Thus, the majority of the fry survive because the young are given refuge "from evil parents."

Additionally, you can use specialized spawning tanks, which are made like funnels with the female remaining inside and the spawned young falling out into the spawning aquarium, to preserve the offspring. As a result, the producer and the young don’t interact at first.

After spawning, separating the producers is the third way to preserve the progeny. This is an easy option, but it does require the aquarist to be punctual and focused.

Photo of a pregnant female swordtail, here is one giving birth

Swordtail, a heavily pregnant woman =)

The female is kept apart and fed copiously following spawning.

Young swordtails are fed live dust (nauplii, brine shrimp, cyclops, microworm, rotifers, and cut tubifex) as their first meal.

A week later, the young swordsmen start to separate; the strong and "thoroughbred" are destroyed by the weak and flawed.

The juveniles are developing quickly; in males, the anal fin starts to change after two months, and in females, the "sword" starts to grow by the third month.

Beautiful offspring can occasionally be obtained through independent crossing between swordsmen of different types.

One fascinating aspect of these fish’s existence is that the female swordsman can eventually change into a male, changing the floor, among other things. The struggle for the species’ survival explains why this occurs when there is a "lack" of males. Nearly 90% of female individuals are the progeny of a pair consisting of a female and a previous female.

With its eye-catching, sword-like tail and laid-back disposition, the lyretail swordtail is a colorful and well-liked aquarium fish that appeals to both novice and expert aquarists. This fish brings beauty and activity to any home aquarium with its vibrant behavior and adaptability to a variety of water conditions.

Diseases and treatment of swordsmen

Swordsmen are resilient fish that can withstand challenging circumstances. But like anything living, this kind of wonderful health is fleeting. Maintaining ideal aquarium water conditions is essential for successful fish keeping.

Swordtails require the same care for all common aquarium fish illnesses, with no special considerations.

The disease must be identified in order to treat swordtails correctly, and then the required measures must be taken. This will support you. Diseases and treatments for aquarium fish as well as website sections: Aqua. Med. Fish Diseases.

These and a variety of other fish are always available at the physical supermarkets Aqua Logo and the internet retailer Aqua-Shop. Live goods are being delivered to Moscow and the surrounding areas.

Attribute	Description
Common Name	Lyretail Swordtail
Scientific Name	Xiphophorus helleri
Appearance	Known for its long, forked tail that resembles a lyre
Size	Up to 4.5 inches (11.5 cm)
Color Variations	Red, green, yellow, and combinations with black markings
Temperament	Peaceful and social
Tank Requirements	Minimum 20 gallons, well-planted with plenty of swimming space
Water Conditions	Temperature: 72-78°F (22-26°C), pH: 7.0-8.0
Diet	Omnivorous, accepts flakes, pellets, and live or frozen foods
Breeding	Livebearer, breeds readily in home aquariums

Popular and striking, the lyretail swordtail fish can liven up your aquarium with a burst of color and movement. It’s fun to watch and take care of because of its unique tail and energetic demeanor. These fish do not require much care to maintain, but they do have certain requirements that must be satisfied in order for them to flourish.

Giving them a roomy tank with lots of plants and hiding places will make them feel comfortable. Because of their social nature, they perform best in groups; however, to avoid stress, take note of the male-to-female ratio. A balanced diet and routine water changes are essential to maintaining their health and vibrancy.

The lyretail swordtail is an excellent option for both novice and expert aquarists. These fish will add color and endless enjoyment to your tank with proper care.

Video on the topic

Lyretail swordtail

Lyretail swordtail

Lyretail swordtail