Easy
Swordtail Wien Lyra (Xiphophorus helleri wien lyra)
23–27°C · pH 7–8.5 · 75L
£5.99
A hardy, colorful livebearing swordtail variety that brings active movement and bright gold coloration to community aquariums. Easy care, semi-aggressive. 23-27C, 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. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Xiphophorus helleri
Swordtail Marry Gold are a shoaling species — they need 6+ to feel safe and show their full colour.
A hardy, colorful livebearing swordtail variety that brings active movement and bright gold coloration to community aquariums. Easy care, semi-aggressive. 23-27C, 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. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
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
Warm marigold gold is this strain's calling card. The Marry Gold Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri mary gold) pairs bright gold colouration with the restless, active movement swordtails are loved for, all in a body listed at around 5 cm. Gold reads warm under almost any aquarium lighting, which is why this strain works in bright tanks and moody ones alike. Care is rated easy, which keeps it within reach of first-time fishkeepers, though its temperament deserves a moment's thought before you stock.
It is one of the swordtail strains recorded as semi-aggressive, with breeding fish in particular liable to become territorial. Sensible stocking solves it: platies, mollies, Corydoras, peaceful tetras of a similar size, danios and other peaceful livebearers all make listed matches. Slow, long-finned fish such as bettas and fancy guppies should be avoided, as should fin-nippers, large aggressive cichlids, predators and very small fry that could be eaten. None of this makes the Marry Gold difficult — it simply rewards a keeper who reads the compatibility list before filling the tank rather than after.
An 80-litre aquarium is the listed minimum, with water at 23–27 °C, pH 7.0–8.5 and hardness between 5 and 30 dGH. Those parameters overlap neatly with the rest of the livebearer group, so adding this strain to an existing platy or molly community rarely needs any adjustment at all. Feeding an omnivore is as simple as it sounds, and a typical lifespan is around three years.
Gold colouring carries wonderfully against dark substrate and green planting, so this strain earns a focal spot in the aquascape. Keep groups balanced, give breeding fish space, and choose companions strictly from the peaceful list. Few strains repay basic, consistent care quite so visibly. Settle new arrivals gradually and offer the first feed once they are exploring confidently. We ship by licensed live-animal courier and back every delivery with a live arrival guarantee.
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