Red Swordtail

Red Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) is a vibrant and hardy freshwater fish, commonly found in home aquariums. Its distinct red colouration and the long, sword-like tail of the males make our swordtail fish for sale a popular choice among aquarium enthusiasts. Females grow to around 10 to 12cm, with males slightly smaller plus the sword.

Location

Native to Central America, the swordtail is found in rivers and streams from Mexico to Honduras, where it thrives in warm, tropical waters. The red colour form is captive bred.

Diet

This species is omnivorous and enjoys a variety of foods, including high quality flakes, live or frozen brine shrimp, and plant matter such as blanched spinach and courgette.

Care

Red Swordtails are easy to care for, thriving in temperatures between 22 and 28°C and slightly alkaline water conditions. They are peaceful with other species, but males can spar with each other, so keep one male with two or three females. Keep the tank covered, as they can jump.

Habitat

In the wild, these fish live in rivers with dense vegetation. Replicate their natural habitat by providing plants and rocks in your aquarium, allowing for plenty of open swimming space.

Breeding

As livebearers, Red Swordtails give birth to live young. They are easy to breed, and it’s important to provide hiding spots for the fry to protect them from adult fish.

They mix well with our red tiger platy and gold guppies, or browse all our guppies and livebearers. Buy more and save, with multi-buy discounts from 5 fish.

Shipping Information

We take care to ensure your order arrives in excellent condition and ready to settle into your aquarium. All orders are shipped with tracking, and the cut-off time for same-day dispatch is 4 pm.

Orders containing dry goods, shrimp, snails or plants are dispatched Monday to Friday via Royal Mail for fast, reliable delivery. Livestock, in particular live fish and invertebrates, are dispatched Monday to Wednesday only, using an approved overnight courier, to avoid weekend delays and ensure safe and timely delivery.

Track Your Order

You will receive a tracking number by email when we begin processing your order for shipping. The selected courier will provide updates on delivery only through their tracking page.

During colder weather, heat packs are added when needed. Livestock orders are carefully packed in insulated boxes to help maintain a stable temperature throughout transit.

View our Shipping Policy