Swordtail Fish

Shop colourful Swordtail Fish online at Aquaholics Online.

Swordtails are popular freshwater livebearers known for their bright colours, active behaviour and the distinctive sword-shaped extension on the tail of mature males.

Their peaceful temperament, attractive appearance and relatively straightforward care make Swordtails a popular choice for community aquariums and fishkeepers of all experience levels.

Our range may include assorted Swordtails and selected colour varieties depending on livestock availability.

Swordtails for Community Aquariums

Swordtails are generally active and peaceful fish that can work well in freshwater community tanks.

Suitable tank mates may include:

• Guppies
• Platies
• Tetras
• Corydoras
• Gouramis
• Bristlenose Catfish
• Other peaceful livebearers

Avoid keeping Swordtails with very aggressive fish or species likely to harass or outcompete them.

Male & Female Swordtails

Swordtails are sexually dimorphic, meaning males and females have noticeable physical differences.

Adult males develop the characteristic sword-like extension on the lower section of the tail fin.

Females do not have this extension and are generally fuller-bodied.

If males and females are kept together, breeding is highly likely.

Keeping Swordtails in Groups

Swordtails are social fish and can be maintained in small groups.

Where males and females are kept together, it is often better to keep more females than males so that individual females are not constantly pursued.

The appropriate group size depends on:

• Aquarium size
• Number of males
• Number of females
• Other tank inhabitants
• Filtration

Providing plenty of space and visual cover can help reduce unnecessary chasing.

Aquarium Size

Swordtails are active swimmers and benefit from more space than their juvenile size may suggest.

They are larger and more active than many Guppies or small Tetras, so a reasonably spacious aquarium is preferable.

A longer tank provides useful horizontal swimming space.

Always consider the expected adult size and total number of fish when choosing an aquarium.

Water Conditions

Swordtails generally prefer stable freshwater conditions and often do well in moderately hard water.

They can adapt to a reasonable range of aquarium conditions when changes are gradual.

Good water quality and consistency are more important than constantly adjusting water chemistry.

Avoid sudden changes in:

• Temperature
• pH
• Hardness

Regular aquarium maintenance and water changes help maintain stable conditions.

Feeding Swordtails

Swordtails are omnivorous and benefit from a varied diet.

Suitable foods can include:

• Quality tropical flakes
• Small pellets
• Livebearer foods
• Spirulina-based foods
• Vegetable-based foods
• Frozen foods
• Small live foods

A varied diet can help support healthy growth, strong colour and overall condition.

Feed sensible portions and avoid allowing excessive uneaten food to accumulate in the aquarium.

Swordtails & Live Plants

Swordtails are well suited to planted aquariums.

Live plants can provide:

• Shelter
• Natural structure
• Hiding places for fry
• Visual barriers
• A more natural aquarium environment

Dense plants around the sides and back of the aquarium work particularly well while leaving open swimming space through the centre.

Floating plants can also provide additional cover for newborn fry.

Breeding Swordtails

Swordtails are livebearers, which means females give birth to live young rather than laying eggs.

When healthy males and females are kept together, breeding can occur readily.

Adult fish may eat newborn fry, so young fish have a better chance of survival when the aquarium contains:

• Dense live plants
• Mosses
• Floating plants
• Dedicated fry cover

A separate breeding or grow-out aquarium can also be used when higher fry survival is desired.

Swordtail Tank Mates

Swordtails generally work well with other peaceful community fish.

Potential companions include:

• Guppies
• Platies
• Mollies
• Tetras
• Corydoras
• Gouramis
• Bristlenose Catfish

Avoid very small or timid species if the Swordtails' active swimming behaviour is likely to cause stress.

Large aggressive Cichlids and predatory fish are generally unsuitable tank mates.

Filtration & Water Quality

Reliable filtration is important for Swordtails, particularly when they are kept in groups.

Livebearers can reproduce quickly, meaning aquarium stocking levels may increase considerably over time.

A suitable filter combined with regular water changes helps maintain stable water quality as the population grows.

Swordtail Colours

Selective breeding has produced Swordtails in a wide range of colours and patterns.

Depending on availability, varieties may display:

• Red
• Orange
• Green
• Black
• Yellow
• Mixed colours
• Patterned colour forms

Individual colour and markings naturally vary, so livestock may not look exactly like representative product photographs.

Buy Swordtail Fish Online in Australia

Aquaholics Online stocks a changing range of Swordtail Fish for Australian freshwater aquarium enthusiasts.

Because we are dealing with live livestock, available colours, sizes and varieties may change regularly.

Browse the current range above to see which Swordtails are available now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Swordtails good beginner fish?

Yes. Swordtails are generally hardy, easy to feed and suitable for many community aquariums, making them a popular choice for newer fishkeepers.

How can you tell a male Swordtail from a female?

Mature males develop the distinctive sword-like extension on the lower part of the tail fin. Females do not have this extension and are usually fuller-bodied.

Do Swordtails need to be kept in groups?

Swordtails are social fish and can be successfully maintained in groups. Where males and females are mixed, keeping more females than males can help reduce persistent chasing.

Do Swordtails breed easily?

Yes. Swordtails are livebearers and can reproduce readily when mature males and females are kept together.

What do Swordtails eat?

Swordtails are omnivorous and benefit from quality flakes or pellets supplemented with appropriate vegetable, frozen or live foods.

Can Swordtails live with Guppies?

Yes. Swordtails and Guppies can often coexist successfully when the aquarium is large enough and water conditions suit both species.

Can Swordtails live with Tetras?

Many peaceful Tetra species can make suitable Swordtail tank mates when aquarium size and water requirements are compatible.

Do Swordtails need live plants?

Live plants are not essential, but they provide excellent cover, natural structure and hiding places for fry.

Do Swordtails need a heater?

Swordtails are generally maintained as tropical freshwater fish, so a suitable aquarium heater is usually recommended where room temperature does not remain consistently within their preferred range.

How big do Swordtails grow?

Adult size varies by sex and variety, but Swordtails become noticeably larger than many small community fish. Aquarium size should always be chosen with their adult size and active swimming behaviour in mind.

Do you ship Swordtails Australia-wide?

Aquaholics Online ships live fish to eligible Australian locations, subject to livestock availability, regional restrictions and biosecurity requirements.