Swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
What you need to keep a Swordtail
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pH
7–8.4
Temperature
22–28 °C
Where to buy
Compare prices from SA aquarium shops listing Swordtail.
What Swordtail costs in South Africa
12 price points from 6 shops over 90 days
R20
cheapest of 7 shops today
SA median R43 across 6 shops over the last 90 days.
8 shops
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Overview
What to know before you buy.
Named for the distinctive sword-like extension on the lower part of the male's tail fin, the Swordtail is a larger and very active livebearer. They come in many beautiful color varieties and are generally peaceful, though males can sometimes be boisterous with each other. A spacious tank is recommended to accommodate their active swimming.
Key traits
Care guide
Keeping Swordtail healthy in a South African setup.
Tank setup
Size the aquarium to Swordtail's adult size and activity level. Provide hiding spots and stable, well-filtered water; it suits a community setup.
Water parameters
Keep pH 7–8.4 and 22–28°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers; acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Feeding
Omnivore. Feed small amounts it clears in a couple of minutes, and vary the diet.
Behaviour
Peaceful. Keep it in a group for natural behaviour.
Tankmates
Choose tankmates of similar size and temperament with the same water needs. Avoid fin-nippers and anything large enough to eat it.
Breeding
Breeding success with Swordtail depends on the line and water chemistry; ask your shop about proven pairs.
Settling this fish in?
Condition the tap water, seed the filter, test through the first weeks — most early losses trace back to one of those.
10% off your first order, no code, at checkout
Availability confirmed with the distributor before dispatch · free delivery over r750
Community photos
From hobbyists across SA.
Market intelligence
Price trends and buyer demand — data only FishHub tracks.
Price history — last 90 days
SA price range this month: R20–55 · Average: R33
This data is unique to FishHub
Demand by province
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