Assorted Lyretail Swordtail

The swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) is a Central American livebearer, and the sword is the extended lower lobe of the male's tail fin. This assortment carries the lyretail gene, which extends the fin rays further still: lyretail males grow points from both the top and bottom of the tail, and the dorsal and anal fins are drawn out as well. Colours vary with the shipment and typically include red, orange, black, pineapple and marbled fish.

Aquarium care

• A solid mid-sized livebearer that needs a longer tank than a guppy would.
• Generally peaceful, but males will spar with each other.
• Keep two or three females per male, or a single male.
• Prefers harder, alkaline water.
• An active mid to upper water swimmer, and a jumper, so keep the tank covered.
• Omnivorous: flake, pellets, frozen foods and some vegetable matter.

One caveat with lyretails: the extended anal fin makes breeding harder for the males, and the long fins are a target for nippers. Keep them with platies, mollies, corydoras and calm tetras rather than barbs.

Stock rotates with each shipment, and livestock is sold for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See the current swordtail list.