Are swordtail fish omnivores?

Why are some swordtail fish infertile?

Some Swordtail varieties, especially those with enlarged fins through selective breeding such as Lyretails, are unable to use their gonopodium as it becomes too long to be functional. This is why some fancier strains appear infertile.

What is the purpose of a swordtail?

The obvious feature of any Swordtail is the pronounced, sword-like extension of the lower half of the tail (caudal) fin. Its purpose is simply to make the male look larger to a female and attract a mate. Why bother with the arduous task of gaining body mass when a simple extension creates the same effect?

Are swordtails good tank mates for other fish?

Swordtails are good tank mates for Mollies , Platies , Angels , Corydoras Catfish , Plecostomus, and Bigger Tetras such as Black Skirts, Red Serpaes, and Silver Tips. Click here to read more about several other groups of compatible fish.

What is a green swordtail fish?

With this coloration, it really is most called the Green Swordtail or the Red Swordtail commonly. However, in captivity, today it’s been bred into the fabulous colors which make it so highly prized. Swordtails are colorful and hardy fish that produce an excellent addition to the passive community aquarium.

Is a swordtail fish a good first fish?

Great fish: Swordtails. Some retailers also now consider them a less than safe bet as a hardy first livebearer. The obvious feature of any Swordtail is the pronounced, sword-like extension of the lower half of the tail (caudal) fin. Its purpose is simply to make the male look larger to a female and attract a mate.

How much salt do swordtail fish need?

Swordtails have a remarkably high saline tolerance, able to withstand up to 60% the strength of seawater for a short while, but ultimately the decision to add will be the keeper’s alone. Just bear in mind that if using salt real plants are not an option and other tank mates may need to be rehomed. A low dosage of some 3g per litre is usually ample.

What is a red swordtail?

The wild type of this fish is called Red Swordtail or Green Swordtail. For some very rare varieties, one would observe colourful and vibrant spots dotting the fins. In captivity, swordtail has been selectively interbred, resulting to a wider range of mixtures of colours.

Is a green swordtail a platyfish?

Green swordtail. The green swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) is a species of freshwater/brackish fish in family Poeciliidae of order Cyprinodontiformes. A live-bearer, it is closely related to the southern platyfish or ‘platy’ (X. maculatus) and can crossbreed with it.

Who discovered the green swordtail?

The specific name honours the collector of the type, the Austrian botanist Karl Bartholomaeus Heller (1824-1880), who discovered this fish while exploring México in 1845-1848. The green swordtail was described from Heller’s type by Johann Jakob Heckel in 1848 with the type locality given as Orizaba, Mexico.

What color are green swordtails?

Captive breeding of Green Swordtails has produced some beautiful color varieties and pattern variations of red, black, green, yellow, albino, and blue. Because of extensive interbreeding with the southern Platyfish, most captive bred Swordtails sold to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts today are to some degree hybrids.

What are swordtail fish?

In the aquarium trade, swordtail fish are some of the most widely sold. They’re readily available at most pet stores and are a favorite among breeders. Thanks to their penchant for cross-breeding and ease of care, many different colors and variations exist.

What is the average lifespan of swordtail fish?

The average lifespan of swordtail fish is around 3-5 years. Given they are kept in a healthy environment with proper care, the fish tend to live longer. Although, different diseases and genetic issues may alter the span. Likewise, swordtail fish are medium-sized fish measuring about 5.5 inches in length when fully grown.

Can green swordtail and platy crossbreed?

The Green Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri) a.k.a. Common Swordtail is very closely related to Xiphophorus maculatus (the southern Platy) and will readily cross breed with it.

What is a green swordtail?

Native to areas of North and Central America, from Veracruz, Mexico to northwestern Honduras, the Green Swordtail has been bred into various hybrid forms for tropical fish keeping enthusiasts in the aquarium hobby and because of it’s hardiness, is commonly used in laboratories including Space Shuttle flights for experimental genetic and research…

How many babies can a red swordtail have?

Breeding: The Red Swordtail is a live-bearing fish related to freshwater aquarium favourites including guppies, mollies, and platys. As such, a female Red Swordtail can give birth to as many as 80 fry at one time.

Where do green swordtail fish live?

The Green Swordtail are found in all types of waters, and prefer heavily-vegetated areas. They are mostly found in rivers and streams, but are also found in warm springs, canals, and ponds. Though not a schooling fish, they enjoy the company of other swordtails and will often shoal.

When did the swordtail fish come out?

The Spotted Swordtail Xiphophorus montezumae was introduced into the aquarium hobby as early as 1864, while the popular Green Swordtail was first introduced in 1909. The Green Swordtail X. hellerii is the most available.

How did the green swordtail get its name?

The specific name honours the collector of the type, the Austrian botanist Karl Bartholomaeus Heller (1824-1880), who discovered this fish while exploring México in 1845-1848. The green swordtail was described from Heller’s type by Johann Jakob Heckel in 1848 with the type locality given as Orizaba, Mexico.

What is the taxonomy of a swordtail fish?

Species and taxonomy. Despite their common names, the marbled swordtail ( X. meyeri) is a part of the platy group based on its genetics and the short-sword platyfish ( X. continens) is a part of the swordtail group based on its genetics.

Do swordtails lay eggs or lay eggs?

Swordtails ( Xiphophorus hellerii) are peaceful community fish that reproduce with ease. They are livebearers, meaning the females release live fry rather than laying eggs. It is recommended to keep more females than males, as males can easily harass females with relentless attempts to reproduce, leading to stress in the females.