Swordtail Ada Red Lyra (Xiphophorus helleri ada red lyra) - Tropical Fish for Sale UK

Vivid red, lyre-finned and carrying a touch more attitude than most of its relatives, the Ada Red Lyra Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri ada red lyra) is the lyretail for keepers who want bright colour with a bit of character. It stays small — listed at 4 cm — yet the striking lyre tail and near-constant movement make it look anything but modest in the middle of the tank. Among red lyretails it is the one to choose when a tank needs energy as much as colour. A small fish with a strong presence — that is the trade this strain offers.

Temperament is recorded as semi-aggressive, with a note that fish can turn territorial when breeding. The right companions keep that in check: platies, mollies, Corydoras catfish, Otocinclus, peaceful danios and other peaceful livebearers are all listed as suitable. Slow, long-finned fish such as bettas and fancy guppies are specifically flagged as ones to avoid, alongside fin-nipping barbs, large aggressive cichlids, predators and very small fry. Treat that avoid list as firm rather than advisory — flowing fins and a swordtail with attitude are a poor mix by design.

Beyond that, care is easy: 23–27 °C, pH 7.0–8.5, hardness anywhere from 5 to 30 dGH and a minimum tank of 75 litres. Maintenance is no different from any easy-care livebearer — stable heat, clean filtered water and a varied diet cover everything on the list. Nothing on its care sheet calls for specialist equipment. It feeds as an omnivore, occupies the midwater zone and lives for roughly three years.

Ada Red Lyra at a glance

• Small stature: listed 4 cm
• Minimum 75-litre aquarium
• Water temperature: 23–27 °C
• Chemistry: pH 7.0–8.5, dGH 5–30
• Omnivore; care level easy
• Semi-aggressive; territorial when breeding; midwater

Choosing tank mates and ordering

Build the community from the robust, peaceful species above and leave delicate long-finned fish for another tank. Given its bolder streak, watch new introductions for the first few days, particularly around breeding fish. Once settled it is an undemanding fish to own, and the lyre tail makes even routine feeding time worth watching. Delivery uses a licensed live-animal courier and includes our live arrival guarantee.