Hi Fin Lyretail Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri)

The Hi Fin Lyretail Swordtail's flowing fins make it a beautiful, graceful addition to any aquarium. It is a very popular fish among beginner to advanced freshwater aquarists. The Hi Fin Lyretail Swordtail is an easy-to-keep, peaceful live-bearing fish. Like many other livebearers, it comes in several brilliant color variations, including red, yellow and orange.

The Hi Fin Lyretail is a fin variation of the Xiphophorus helleri. The male Hi Fin Lyretail Swordtail has a feathery, lyre-shaped tail and flowing fins, with an extension on the lower part of its tail, resembling a sword. The fin variations of the female Lyretails are not as impressive. Hi Fin Lyretail Swordtails are jumpers so be sure to provide an adequate cover over the aquarium.

The Hi Fin Lyretail Swordtail requires an aquarium of at least 30 gallons that is well planted with plenty of room for swimming. Because of its peaceful nature, the Hi Fin Lyretail Swordtail is well suited for the community aquarium. Males can be aggressive toward one another so care should be taken when housing more than one male Hi Fin Lyretail Swordtail.

The Hi Fin Lyretail Swordtail is a livebearer and can give birth to as many as 80 fry at one time. A spawning box is recommended, or if one is not available, dense floating cover should be provided to protect the fry from the adults since they will sometimes eat the fry. Once the sex of the fry is determined, the males should be separated because the Hi Fin Lyretail Swordtail can begin breeding as young as three months of age.

The Hi Fin Lyretail Swordtail is an omnivore that will eat commercially prepared flaked foods and algae as well as freeze dried bloodworms, tubifex, and brine shrimp.

Approximate Purchase Size: 1-1/2" to 2-1/2"

Care details

• Temperature: 64 - 82° F
• dKH: 12 - 30
• Color: Assorted
• Family: Poeciliidae
• Diet: Omnivore