NEON Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) - Live Fish

Neon Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii)
Electric color. Effortless care. Endlessly entertaining.

The Neon Swordtail is a radiant and energetic freshwater fish, prized for its bright iridescent hues — often featuring electric blue, green, orange, and red — and the distinctive sword-shaped tail of the males. These peaceful livebearers bring vibrant movement to community aquariums and are ideal for aquarists of all experience levels.

🔍 Quick Facts:

• Common Name: Neon Swordtail

• Scientific Name: Xiphophorus hellerii

• Origin: Central America (captive-bred strain)

• Size: 4–5 inches

• Temperament: Peaceful, active

• Lifespan: 3–5 years

• Care Level: Easy

🏡 Ideal Aquarium Setup:

• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

• Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)

• pH Range: 7.0–8.2

• Water Hardness: Moderately hard to hard

• Tank Environment:

  • Aquatic plants for hiding and breeding

  • Open swimming space

  • Gentle filtration, stable water conditions

  • Great for peaceful community setups (ideal tankmates include guppies, mollies, corydoras, tetras, rasboras)

🍽️ Diet:
Neon Swordtails are omnivores and not picky eaters.

• Staple: High-quality flakes or micro pellets

• Treats: Frozen or live brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms

• Supplement: Spirulina or blanched veggies for enhanced color and health

🐣 Breeding Info:

• Livebearers — give birth to free-swimming fry

• Very easy to breed in home tanks

• Keep more females than males (ideal ratio: 2–3 females per male)

• Fry benefit from floating plants or moss for cover

🌟 Fun Facts:

• Neon Swordtails are selectively bred for their glowing, electric coloration

• The “sword” on the male’s tail is used for display during mating rituals

• Closely related to platies — and may interbreed with them in mixed tanks

• Perfect for planted tanks — their colors stand out beautifully against greenery

💡 Pro Tip:
Use a dark substrate and LED lighting to make their neon colors really pop!

⚡ Light up your tank with the bold brilliance of the Neon Swordtail — a hardy, colorful livebearer that brings action and energy to any freshwater setup.