Easy
Swordtail Red (Xiphophorus helleri red)
22–28°C · pH 7–8.4 · 75L
£3.99
Black Swordtail with bold all-dark colouring, about 6 cm. Easy care but semi-aggressive when breeding. 23–27 °C, pH 7–8.5, tanks from 90 litres.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Xiphophorus helleri black
Swordtail Black are a shoaling species — they need 6+ to feel safe and show their full colour.
Black Swordtail with bold all-dark colouring, about 6 cm. Easy care but semi-aggressive when breeding. 23–27 °C, pH 7–8.5, tanks from 90 litres.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Platies are one of the best beginner fish — hardy, colourful, peaceful, and available in dozens of colour varieties. Perfect for community tanks of all sizes.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Set against pale sand or a backdrop of live plants, an all-black fish is impossible to miss — and that bold contrast is the whole appeal of the Black Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri black). Dark colouring covers the entire body, lending the strain a velvety, dramatic look few community fish can match. For aquascapers it works almost like moving negative space, sharpening every colour placed around it. Listed at about 6 cm, it is a compact swordtail that brings constant activity to the middle of the aquarium, with care rated easy throughout.
One thing separates this strain from the gentlest members of the family: its temperament is recorded as semi-aggressive, and individuals can become territorial when breeding. In practice that just means choosing companions sensibly. Platies, mollies, Corydoras, snails and similar-sized peaceful community fish all work well. Long-finned tank mates that may be harassed are best left out, as are very timid slow-moving fish, species that need soft acidic water, large aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping barbs and big predators.
Water requirements are forgiving. Aim for 23–27 °C and a pH of 7.0–8.5, anywhere across a hardness range of 5–30 dGH. Nothing exotic is needed on the equipment side either: a heated, filtered and fully cycled aquarium that holds those numbers steadily will do the job. An omnivorous diet keeps feeding straightforward, and with stable conditions a lifespan of around three years is typical for this hardy livebearer.
A 90-litre aquarium is the sensible starting point, ideally with planted cover that offers retreats — useful when breeding fish stake out a territory. Pick robust, similar-sized companions from the list above rather than anything timid or trailing long fins. Acclimatise new fish gradually on arrival, and expect the semi-aggressive streak to surface mainly around breeding activity, just as the care notes describe. We dispatch by licensed live-animal courier, and a live arrival guarantee applies to every order.
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