Orange Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) – Locally Bred

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The Orange Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) is one of the most striking livebearers in the aquarium hobby, prized for its vivid coloration and signature tail extension. With its bold orange hue and lively personality, this fish adds nonstop movement and a splash of fiery color to any community aquarium. Our specimens are locally bred, making them hardy, well-acclimated, and a sustainable alternative to imported fish.

What We Love About This Fish:

• Brilliant Orange Coloration – A fiery tone that stands out in planted aquariums.
• Signature Swordtail – Males display the elegant, elongated “sword” extension of the caudal fin.
• Peaceful and Active – A schooling livebearer that adds energy and personality.
• Locally Bred – Adapted to aquarium conditions, hardy, and sustainably raised.

Natural Habitat:

Wild Swordtails are native to rivers and streams throughout Mexico and Central America, typically inhabiting flowing waters with lush vegetation and rocky or sandy substrates. The Orange variety is a selectively bred color morph, developed for its unique coloration and now available as a locally bred, aquarium-raised fish.

Aquascaping:

Swordtails thrive in aquariums that combine open swimming space with areas of cover.

• Plants: Live plants like Amazon Sword, Hornwort, and Water Sprite provide natural shelter and grazing surfaces. Floating plants such as Duckweed or Frogbit help diffuse light and create a comfortable environment.
• Hardscape: Smooth rocks and driftwood pieces can be arranged to create visual interest while leaving plenty of open water for schooling behavior.
• Botanicals: Additions like Indian Almond Leaves or Casuarina pods can help condition the water, encourage biofilm growth, and enhance a natural look.

Diet and Feeding:

Swordtails are omnivores and accept a wide range of foods. A staple of high-quality flakes or micro-pellets should be supplemented with live or frozen treats like brine shrimp and daphnia, as well as vegetable matter such as spirulina flakes or blanched zucchini to keep them healthy and colorful.

Tank Mates and Compatibility:

Orange Swordtails are excellent community fish. They do well with other livebearers (Platies, Mollies, Guppies) as well as peaceful species like tetras, rasboras, and Corydoras catfish. Avoid aggressive or fin-nipping tank mates.

Shrimp Compatibility:

Safe with adult shrimp, but may prey on very small shrimp fry. Provide ample plants and hiding spots if keeping shrimp together.

Breeding:

Like all livebearers, Orange Swordtails are prolific breeders. Females give birth to free-swimming fry, which benefit from dense plant cover or breeder boxes for survival. A ratio of 1 male to 2–3 females is recommended to reduce stress.

Recommended Tank Parameters:

• Temperature: 72° – 82° F (22° – 28° C)
• pH: 7.0 – 8.0
• KH: 8 – 15 dKH
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

Care Guidelines:

• Diet: Omnivorous; thrives on flakes, pellets, live, and frozen foods.
• Social Behavior: Peaceful, schooling fish best kept in groups.
• Origin: Locally bred in the USA.
• Average Adult Size: 4 – 5 inches (10 – 12.5 cm), with males displaying a longer sword.
• Average Purchase Size: 1 – 2 inches (2.5 – 5 cm)

Bring home the vibrant Orange Swordtail – Locally Bred for a community fish that combines beauty, activity, and hardiness, all while supporting sustainable, domestic breeding.

Live Arrival Guarantee:
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