Overview of popular types of Swordtails – Forked, Cuban and many other varieties with photos and descriptions of fish

Swordtails are a fantastic option if you enjoy colorful, active fish that liven up your aquarium. These vibrant fish are distinguished by their unusual tail fins, which have a sword-like appearance. We’re exploring the world of swordtails in this piece, concentrating on some of the most well-known varieties, such as the Cuban and Forked swordtails. Every variety has a distinct charm and set of qualities that make them an intriguing addition to any tank.

As its name implies, the Forked Swordtail has a tail fin that divides into two separate points. Its distinctive tail structure enhances their graceful swimming style in addition to adding visual interest. The Cuban Swordtail, on the other hand, is distinguished by its vibrant hues and graceful fin shape. These fish add a bit of the exotic to your aquarium setup and are true show stoppers.

There are numerous other Swordtail varieties that offer unique characteristics in addition to these well-known ones. There’s probably a Swordtail out there that fits your preferences, whether you’re looking for vivid colors, unusual tail shapes, or particular behaviors. We will assist you in selecting the ideal Swordtail for your aquatic community by sending you thorough descriptions and images of these stunning fish.

Prepare to delve deeply into the world of Swordtails. You’ll know more about the various kinds out there and how they can improve the aesthetics of your tank by the end of this article. Now let’s get started and explore the amazing diversity of Swordtails!

Type	Description
Forked Swordtail	This type has a distinct forked tail that is very eye-catching. It’s known for its vibrant colors and lively behavior, making it a popular choice for aquariums.
Cuban Swordtail	The Cuban Swordtail is notable for its bright hues and elongated body. It’s a hardy fish that adapts well to various tank conditions.
Platinum Swordtail	This variety stands out with its shiny, silvery scales. It’s a peaceful fish that adds a touch of elegance to any aquarium.
Red Swordtail	With its striking red color, this fish is a bold addition to any tank. It’s active and thrives in a well-maintained aquarium environment.
Black Swordtail	The Black Swordtail is known for its sleek, dark appearance. It’s a resilient fish that can adapt to a range of water conditions.

Because of their eye-catching colors and unique tails, swordtails are a favorite choice among aquarium enthusiasts. This article will give you a thorough rundown of the most common kinds. We will examine the distinct attributes and traits of every variety, ranging from the traditional Forked Swordtail to the eye-catching Cuban Swordtail. You’ll be able to see exactly what makes these fish so attractive and how they can improve the look of your aquarium with the help of photos and thorough descriptions.

Varieties with a detailed description

Nearly every Swordtail variety was created through artificial breeding. Some fish breeds have peculiar fins because breeders focused not only on the color of the fish but also on its body shape.

Wil

A breed distinguished by an unusual tail fin with three long rays that resemble a fork. The only fork-shaped swordsmen available at first were red, but later models also came in orange, white, black, and yellow colors.

This fish, which grows to a length of 8 to 10 cm, swims calmly in water that is both warm and cool (16 to 28 ° C).

Remember that certain fish can bite swordsmen’s attractive fins when inspecting the aquarium.

This variety is distinguished by the males’ elongated gonopodia, an organ located close to the anus. Because females have a smaller, more rounded anal fin than males, you can tell them apart right away.

Kubinsky (red taxedo)

This variety is a cross between a regular green swordsman and Pecilia Tucedo, and it was bred in Cuba. The fish only reach a maximum size of 4-5 cm. The body is colored in shades ranging from vivid yellow to rich red, and the tail is consistently marked by a black patch.

Fish require consistent water parameters.

• temperature – from 16 to 27 °C;
• hardness – 10-25 dH;
• acidity – 7-8.5 pH.

Algae shelters and moderate water movement are essential for the Cuban swordtail in aquariums.

Aquarists have the option to choose the aquarium design at their own discretion.

Berlin

While it shares the same orange-red color as the Red Swordtail, it is distinguished by a rich black dorsal fin and tail. Fish can grow up to 6 cm in length, with females having rounder bodies than males.

Suggested water parameters:

• temperature – 20-27 °C;
• hardness – 5-25 dH;
• acidity – from 6.5 to 8.5 pH.

This breed should be kept in a separate aquarium to ensure that "pure" offspring are produced, as it is particularly easy for it to cross with other Swordtail breeds.

Flag

An additional variety of Swordtail, distinguished mainly by its morphology.

The breed’s striking characteristic is a large, powerful dorsal fin that was developed in America.

These fins come in a variety of forms, and they all require the same maintenance as their colored relatives with regular shapes. Naturally, aggressive or predatory fish shouldn’t be kept with Flag Swordtails.

Veil

Breeds whose transparent fins are particularly stylish. These fish require the same care as their predecessors did: the Red Veil Swordtail, for instance, requires the same habitats. Once more, it’s critical to keep in mind the proper interspecies compatibility when selecting these fish.

Tiger

A breed whose striking coloring consists of haphazardly placed black spots on a bright red body. Usually, the dorsal and tail fins become black, while the remaining fins maintain their reddish color.

Tiger Swordtails thrive in dense thickets of small-leaved plants, such as vallisneria, cabomba, and serrated elodea.

Tiger Swordtail aquarium maintenance is a constant need.

They reach a length of 7-8 cm, and compared to other species, they need slightly warmer water.

• temperature – from 23 to 26 °C;
• hardness – 6-20 dH;
• acidity – from 6 to 7.5 pH.

Tiger Swordtails resemble lyre tails.

Pineapple

The fish has a bright scarlet stripe running the length of its body, giving it a yellow-lemon color. There are less pronounced stripes above and below it. The sword’s hue transitions from yellow to a rich red, with a striking dark border surrounding its periphery.

There is no denying the male and female’s differences. The female is taller, growing to a maximum length of 12–15 cm, while the male is smaller and slimmer, measuring only 8–12 cm (not including the sword).

When keeping multiple male pineapple swordtails, caution must be exercised as they may exhibit territorial aggression towards other males.

Each fish needs at least 30 to 40 liters of water, with the following specifications:

• temperature – from 20 to 26 °C;
• hardness – 10-25 dH;
• acidity – 7-8 pH.

Because of its exceptionally gentle nature, this breed can be kept with other small, calm fish.

Ruby (Ruby)

One of the most well-known types is the ruby (red) swordtail, which has a vivid scarlet hue. Because of its red eyes, the ruby swordtail fish is also known as the vampire in the West.

Since these fish can reach a size of 14–16 cm, you will need at least 100 liters for a school of three to four fish.

Ruby swordtails do best in aquariums with lots of vegetation and plenty of room for swimming.

They require very little in the way of water parameters:

• temperature – from 16 to 28 °C;
• acidity – 7-8 pH;
• hardness – from soft to high (10-30 dH).

The most popular aquarium inhabitants are Ruby Swordtails, which can thrive in a wide range of environments and have an amazing appearance.

Calico (Leopard)

One of the most vibrant color patterns is seen on this species of fish, which has a light cream body with numerous bright red and black spots. Calico Swordtails were also known as Leopards because of this color.

Fish in aquariums can reach a size of 8 to 10 cm, with the female typically growing larger than the male.

It is not a good idea to keep three or more male calico swordtails together as they can get into serious competition and harm each other.

Additionally, they require little water:

• temperature – from 17 to 28 ° C;
• hardness – 10-30 dH;
• acidity – from 7 to 8 pH.

Breeding Calico Swordtails can be challenging because the fry hardly ever maintain the desired color. The work required to breed them is therefore worthwhile because calico fish make an extremely unique aquarium.

Miller

Another breed with an amazing appearance: the bright orange body is speckled with numerous tiny black marks.

A school of four to five of them can fit in a 50-liter aquarium because they only grow to a maximum length of 6 cm. Even in very warm water, they feel comfortable:

• temperature – from 22 to 36 ° C;
• acidity – 6-7 pH;
• hardness – from 10 to 25 dH.

Since Miller’s swordtails prefer plant food, it should have a lot of plant-based ingredients.

Clown

Among the most well-liked Swordtails, this one has a striking red, white, and orange body color. These fish typically have a red head and tail while maintaining a white body. They are sometimes referred to as butterflies or white for this reason, though it’s unclear why.

Their peculiar coloring has earned them the moniker "Clowns" (though Santa Claus is another common name).

Clowns can survive in any environment, just like other varieties:

• water temperature – from 16 to 28 ° C;
• acidity – from 7 to 8.5 pH;
• hardness – 10-30 dH.

If housed in living quarters, Clown Swordtails can be kept in unheated aquariums for extended periods of time.

An aquarium with a capacity of at least 100 liters is necessary for a small school.

Lyretail

A breed distinguished by its unique caudal fin. The tail’s upper and lower arrows are extended, giving the fin its overall lyre-like appearance. Dorsal and ventral fins have smaller versions of these arrows.

The type of multicolored breed the fish belongs to will determine how to care for it (for example, there is a Tiger Lyretail Swordtail).

Golden

The Golden Swordtail is found in Guatemala, Southern Mexico, and Central America. It can be found in swift-moving mountain rivers.

Its body is lemon yellow, but the black stripe close to the caudal fin sets it apart from all other similar varieties.

This mark is most noticeable on females; on males, it gradually transforms into a border that runs the length of the sword.

Medium-hard and temperature-neutral water is preferred by golden swordtails:

• temperature – from 24 to 28 ° C;
• acidity – 7-8 pH;
• hardness – from 10 to 20 dH.

The aquarium needs to have a minimum capacity of 100 liters. It is a good idea to provide shelters. Dense plantings of simple, even floating, plants would be a wise decision.

Sailing

Though these fish’s fins are longer than those of the Flag Swordtail variety, they are otherwise very similar.

A serene and tranquil fish. The body is long and sideways flattened. Red is the color of the body.

Although sailing swordtails are extremely beautiful, they are quite slow, so they shouldn’t be kept in an aquarium with fish that are gregarious and aggressive.

A minimum of 50-liter aquariums are appropriate for the housing of swordtail fish. It is ideal to have a glass cover.

Common green

A naturally occurring variety that almost all other breeds were derived from. The terms "Common Swordtail" and "Geller’s Swordtail" are also used in aquaristics. Under ideal circumstances, each individual grows 8–12 cm. The primary hue is gray-green, with a crimson stripe running the length of the male’s body. Although the female appears paler, she eventually grows larger.

Common Green Swordtails are easily reproduced and do not require harsh conditions for incarceration, but they are virtually nonexistent in contemporary aquariums as only specific varieties are available everywhere.

Black

One of the original selective breeds, developed in 1946.

Many fish were sterile at first, but scientists eventually produced fertile offspring with a deep black body color.

Males grow to a maximum length of 7-8 cm, not including the "sword." The females lack the characteristic feature of elongated lower rays on the tail and are somewhat larger (up to 10 cm).

A characteristic of Black Swordtails is their heightened susceptibility to oxygen and nitrate levels. Installing a compressor in the aquarium and keeping a close eye on the water’s purity are essential. Should you fail to adhere to these specifications, the fish will become ill and lose its ability to procreate.

Compatibility of the listed aquarium fish with each other

Swordtails behave quite calmly in an aquarium when the population is balanced; the key is to have more females than males, or else there will be constant chasing and attacking. Generally speaking, different breeds coexist peacefully and can even interbreed to produce offspring with surprisingly vibrant colors.

The traits of each variety must be considered by the aquarist. Large and small swordtail fish shouldn’t be kept together because the smaller fish will always become the victims.

Furthermore, some species (like the Black Swordtail) cannot survive in an aquarium that is too crowded, so it is preferable to keep them apart or choose fish that are entirely different from one another as neighbors. Read this fascinating article about the compatibility of swordtails with other fish, such as guppies, gourami, and mollies, for more information on this topic.

Discovering the varied realm of Swordtails exposes an amazing variety of fish, every one possessing a distinct allure and allure. These fish, which range in color from the striking Forked Swordtail to the vivid Cuban Swordtail, liven up any aquarium. They are well-liked by both beginning and seasoned aquarists due to their diverse looks and lively behaviors.

When contemplating the addition of Swordtails to your aquarium, keep in mind that their various varieties, like the Cuban Swordtail and its numerous forms, provide more benefits than just eye candy. Every variety has different preferences and needs for upkeep, so it’s critical to select the best kind for your tank based on its conditions and your capacity to provide for it.

Swordtails are a rewarding addition to any aquarium because they are not only aesthetically pleasing but also resilient and adaptive. Through comprehension of the traits and requirements of every variety of swordtail, you can guarantee a flourishing aquarium that exhibits these magnificent fish in all their beauty.

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