Red Lyretail Swordtail

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The Red Lyretail Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) is a vibrant freshwater livebearer known for its brilliant red coloration, flowing lyretail fins, and lively personality. These active fish are constantly exploring and bring color and movement to the middle and upper levels of the aquarium.

Swordtails are adaptable and generally easy to care for once introduced to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. They are active swimmers that appreciate stable water conditions, plenty of open space, and a planted environment where they can explore and retreat.

About This Fish

The Red Lyretail Swordtail is a selectively bred variety of the Green Swordtail. Its bold red body and extended lyretail fins create a more dramatic appearance than the standard form.

Swordtails are social, curious fish that remain active throughout the day. Males may display toward females and occasionally compete with other males, particularly when space is limited. The species can reach approximately 5 to 6 inches at full size, including the male’s extended sword.

Aquarium Care

Red Lyretail Swordtails should be introduced to a mature, cycled aquarium with stable water quality. They can acclimate to a reasonably wide range of parameters, but they generally do best in neutral to alkaline water with moderate hardness.

Regular water changes, consistent filtration, and sufficient swimming room are important. A secure aquarium lid is recommended because swordtails are active and may jump when startled.

Tank Setup

Provide a planted aquarium with open areas through the middle and upper portions of the tank. Plants can be placed along the back and sides to create cover without restricting swimming space.

A 30-gallon or larger aquarium is recommended for a small group. Larger tanks are preferable when keeping several males because males may become territorial toward one another.

When keeping males and females together, maintain more females than males to reduce persistent attention toward any one female. A ratio of one male to at least two or three females generally works well.

Diet

Red Lyretail Swordtails are omnivores and should receive a varied diet containing both animal-based and plant-based foods. Wild swordtails consume small crustaceans, insects, worms, and plant matter.

Our Red Lyretail Swordtails are fed a combination of:

• Frozen brine shrimp
• Frozen daphnia
• High-quality flake food

Quality pellets, spirulina-based foods, and occasional frozen or live foods may also be offered to provide variety and balanced nutrition.

Tankmates

Red Lyretail Swordtails are generally peaceful and work well in active freshwater community aquariums.

Suitable tankmates may include:

• Platies and mollies
• Peaceful tetras and rasboras
• Corydoras catfish
• Peaceful loaches
• Other similarly sized community fish

Avoid housing them with highly aggressive fish or persistent fin-nippers that may target their extended lyretail fins.

Male swordtails may spar with one another, particularly in smaller aquariums. Additional swimming space, plants, and visual barriers can help reduce competition.

Breeding Notes

Swordtails are livebearers, meaning females give birth to free-swimming fry rather than laying eggs. They reproduce readily and can quickly increase the population of an aquarium.

Provide dense plants, moss, or other hiding places if you would like some of the fry to survive. Adult fish may eat newborn fry when they are able to catch them.

Females may already be carrying fry when purchased and can potentially produce additional broods after being separated from males.

Recommended Water Parameters

Temperature: 72° to 75° F
pH: 7.2 to 7.5
GH: 7 to 8 dGH
KH: 3 to 4 dKH
TDS: 180 to 250 ppm
Minimum tank size: 30 gallons for a small group
Adult size: Approximately 4 to 6 inches, including extended fins
Origin: Captive-bred variety of a species native to Mexico and Central America

What We Like About This Fish

• Brilliant red coloration
• Elegant, flowing lyretail fins
• Active and entertaining personality
• Beginner-friendly once properly acclimated
• Works well in many community aquariums
• Reproduces readily in suitable conditions

Important Notes

Red Lyretail Swordtails are active fish and should not be kept in cramped aquariums. Provide adequate swimming room and keep the aquarium securely covered.

Males may compete with one another, and females can become stressed when kept with too many males. Maintain an appropriate male-to-female ratio and provide plants or visual barriers throughout the aquarium.

Swordtails reproduce quickly, so keep males and females separately if you do not want fry.