Vienna Swordtail – Xiphophorus helleri

The Vienna Swordtail is a striking freshwater fish known for its vibrant red-orange colors and distinctive sword-like tail extension. This popular variety of swordtail is favored by aquarists for its beauty and active behavior, making it an excellent addition to community aquariums.

Description:

Common Name: Vienna Swordtail

Scientific Name: Xiphophorus helleri

Family: Poeciliidae

Size: 4-5 inches (10-13 cm)

Temperament: Peaceful and sociable.

Difficulty: Easy

Native Region:

Originally found in freshwater rivers and streams in Central America, particularly in Mexico and Honduras, where they thrive in warm, shallow waters.

Aquarium Setup:

Tank Size: Minimum of 20 gallons

Temperature: 72-82F (22-28C)

pH: 7.0-8.0

Hardness: Moderately hard to hard water

Substrate: Fine gravel or sand with plenty of plants and open swimming space.

Additional Tips:

Social Behavior: Best kept in groups, with a higher ratio of females to males to minimize aggression and stress.

Compatibility: Suitable for community tanks with tetras, mollies, guppies, and other peaceful species.

Diet: Omnivorous; provide a varied diet of high-quality flakes, pellets, and occasional live or frozen foods to ensure optimal health and coloration.