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Swordtail Wien Lyra (Xiphophorus helleri wien lyra)
23–27°C · pH 7–8.5 · 75L
£5.99
Black Lyra Swordtail — compact 4.5 cm lyretail in deep black. Peaceful and easy to keep; 75 litres plus, 23–27 °C, pH 7–8.5.
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 lyra
Swordtail Black 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.
Black Lyra Swordtail — compact 4.5 cm lyretail in deep black. Peaceful and easy to keep; 75 litres plus, 23–27 °C, pH 7–8.5.
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
Not every eye-catching fish needs a big aquarium. The Black Lyra Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri black lyra) is listed at a compact 4.5 cm, yet its deep black colouring and twin-pointed lyretail silhouette stand out the moment it crosses the tank. Colour, movement and elegant finnage come packaged in a body small enough for a modest set-up — it is the sort of fish that makes a 75-litre community feel complete rather than crowded — and it is noted as an easy breeder as well as an easy keep.
Peaceful by temperament, it mixes happily with platies, mollies, guppies, peaceful tetras, danios and Corydoras. Everything on that list shares the same calm energy, which is exactly the company this lyretail needs. Fin-nippers such as tiger barbs are specifically flagged as a poor match — those trailing fins are an obvious target — and large aggressive cichlids, big predators, very delicate slow-moving fish and soft-acid-water species should also stay off the plan.
Keep the water between 23 and 27 °C with a pH of 7.0–8.5; any hardness from 5 to 30 dGH is acceptable, which is an unusually forgiving range. Treat the listed figures as a target rather than a limit — sitting comfortably mid-range is always kinder than skating along an extreme. As an omnivore it feeds readily, holds to the middle of the tank and should live for around three years with consistent care.
Start with 75 litres and build the community around calm species from the compatible list. A dark fish shows best over light substrate or in front of fresh green planting, so think about the backdrop before it arrives. Few fish offer this much contrast per centimetre, which makes it an easy strain to recommend as a first lyretail. Take acclimatisation slowly, offer varied omnivore fare, and the strain's easy-care reputation looks after the rest. Delivery is by licensed live-animal courier, and our live arrival guarantee covers every fish we send.
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