Red Lyretail Swordtail (4 CM)
£2.75
Please note, due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided.
The Red Lyretail Swordtail is a popular color variant of the green swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii), a freshwater livebearing fish in the family Poeciliidae.
60 in stock
Livestock delivery
Under £100£24.99
£100–£199£19.95
£200+FREE
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Description
Overview & Appearance
- Scientific Name: Xiphophorus hellerii
- Coloration: Deep solid red or blood-red body, often with striking extensions on the fins.
- Fin Shape: The “lyretail” trait features elongated top and bottom rays of the caudal (tail) fin, transforming the standard sword-tail shape into a fork or lyre configuration.
- Size: Grows up to 4 to 5 inches in length.
- Lifespan: Typically 3 to 5 years under proper care.
Aquarium Care
- Tank Size: Minimum 10 to 30 gallons, ideally well-planted with plenty of open swimming space.
- Water Temperature: 72°F to 82°F (22°C to 28°C).
- pH Level: 7.0 to 8.0 (hard water preferred, around 9–15 dH).
- Diet: Omnivorous; accepts flake foods, micro pellets, algae, brine shrimp, and bloodworms.
- Temperament: Peaceful and active community fish, though males can occasionally show mild aggression toward each other. It is generally recommended to keep a ratio of multiple females per male (e.g., 3 females to 1 male).
Breeding & Reproduction
- Livebearers: They give birth to free-swimming live fry every roughly 28 days rather than laying eggs.
- Fertility Note: Pure-line male lyretail swordtails can experience reduced fertility or functional sterility due to the extreme elongation of their gonopodium and ventral fins, meaning breeders often use normal-finned males paired with lyretail females, or specialized breeding methods.
- Fry Care: Adults will eat their own offspring, so dense floating plants or a separate breeding/rearing tank are needed to protect the fry.
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