Easy
Swordtail Black (Xiphophorus helleri black)
23–27°C · pH 7–8.5 · 90L
£3.99
Berlin Lyra Swordtail — compact 6 cm lyretail, peaceful and easy to breed. Keep at 23–27 °C, pH 7–8.5 in tanks of 90 litres or more.
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 berlin lyra
Swordtail Berlin Lyra are a shoaling species — they need 6+ to feel safe and show their full colour. Larger shoals stay calmer, eat better, and look stunning.
Berlin Lyra Swordtail — compact 6 cm lyretail, peaceful and easy to breed. Keep at 23–27 °C, pH 7–8.5 in tanks of 90 litres or more.
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
Looking for a lyretail swordtail that stays on the smaller side? At a listed 6 cm, the Berlin Lyra (Xiphophorus helleri berlin lyra) is noticeably more compact than the biggest members of its family while still carrying the elegant lyra finnage the name promises. That smaller stature makes it easier to house a lively group comfortably within the listed tank size, and an easy strain to recommend where space is the limiting factor but a lyretail is the goal. It brings constant activity to the middle of a community aquarium and is recorded as both easy to care for and easy to breed — a combination that makes it a very practical choice.
Its temperament is peaceful. Good company includes other peaceful livebearers, platies, mollies, peaceful tetras, danios and Corydoras — none of which threaten those lyre-shaped fins. Trouble comes from large aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping fish, predators and highly aggressive tank mates. Bear in mind too that very small fry or shrimp may be eaten by an opportunistic adult.
Give it 23–27 °C, a pH between 7.0 and 8.5 and hardness from 5 to 30 dGH, in an aquarium of at least 90 litres. Hold those numbers steady with a heater and a mature filter and there is very little left to go wrong. Feeding an omnivore takes no special effort, and around three years is a fair expectation for lifespan when conditions stay stable.
Pair the Berlin Lyra with calm companions and it will repay you with non-stop midwater movement. If breeding interests you, this is one of the more obliging strains, so include some plant cover where fry can shelter. A calm, planted layout shows the finnage at its best. On arrival, match temperature gradually before release and keep lighting low for the first few hours. Dispatch is via licensed live-animal courier and every order carries our live arrival guarantee.
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