🐠Swordtail: gear and buying guides

The swordtail, recognizable by the male's sword-shaped tail, is a lively livebearer reaching 8 to 12 cm including the sword. An excellent swimmer, it needs a tank of at least 100 L and fairly hard water between 22 and 26 °C. Since males can quarrel with each other, keep a single male or a group dominated by females.

Profile : 8 to 12 cm as an adult including the sword, 100 L minimum, water between 22 and 26 °C.

Swordtail gear, family by family

• 🍖 Food

  An undemanding omnivore: varied flakes, regular plant matter and live or frozen foods such as daphnia. It feeds mostly at the surface and in midwater.

• 🧴 Care & grooming

  Hardy in moderately hard to hard, well-oxygenated water with a 20 to 25 percent weekly change. Constantly overheated water shortens its lifespan.

• 🎾 Toys & enrichment

  Plants around the edges and a large central swimming space, essential for this sprinter. Driftwood and rocks mark out territories and ease rivalry between males.

• 🏠 Bedding & habitat

  A tank of at least 100 L and at least 80 cm long, covered since it jumps very well. A recommended group is one male to three or more females.

• 🧳 Travel & safety

  Transport in a roomy bag; this nervous fish bumps into walls easily, so prefer an opaque bag. Standard 30-minute acclimation with temperature equalization.

• 🧰 Accessories

  A good-flow filter, a 100 to 150 W heater, a full lid and a wide net. Around 120 to 200 euros to equip a 100 to 150 L tank.

Guides to read

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• RO units and reverse osmosis water in aquariums: who actually needs it?Care & grooming

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• Water conditioner and starter bacteria: essential or just marketing?Care & grooming

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• Fertilizer and CO2 for aquarium plants: start simple, skip the lab setupToys & enrichment

  Do aquarium plants need fertilizer and CO2? The simple starter method: liquid fertilizer, easy plants, and when injected CO2 actually becomes worthwhile.

• Driftwood and rocks for aquariums: which ones are safe for your fish?Toys & enrichment

  Which driftwood and rocks are safe in an aquarium? Tannin-releasing woods, limestone rocks to avoid, the vinegar test and preparation: the complete guide.