INDEX
SWORDTAIL (POECILIIDAE)
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THE FISH
Hi-Fin Swordtail
Xiphophorus helleri
| HABITS |
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This colourful and easy to keep livebearing fish has always been in the fishkeepers top ten. The splendid mature male carrying his sword extension to his tail fin. These fish are generally very friendly towards other fish but you can experience the odd aggressive male. They are best kept more female to males, which lessens the tension. With many colour variations available today a good choice of fish for your community aquarium, don’t however put large swordtails with very tiny fish or they will disappear. Enjoys a planted tank and needs vegetable in its diet. Another good jumper, so keep those lids on.
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| SIZE |
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Male fish grow to around 4 inches females a little larger.
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| FOOD |
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See recommended sera Foods below,
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FOOD
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| SEXING |
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The "sword" an extension of the caudal fin is one of the most striking physical characteristic possessed by the male. As with all livebeares the male fish has a gonopodium, while the female has a triangular anal fin.
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| BREEDING |
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These fish produce broods of young on an average every four to six weeks. They are best separated from the main community or the young run the risk of being eaten. A sera breeding net hooked into the main aquarium is a good place to grow the young until they are old enough to be released back into the main aquarium. These fish can regularly produce broods of 20 to 100 young at a time.
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The Fish
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