Facts of the Red Swordtail

Body Shape

• Red swordtails have a body shape comparable to the platy or guppy. The differences are more bulk in the swordtail and the namesake fin that adorns the male's tail. Scientists have yet to come up with an adequate explanation for this lengthy appendage, but the tail fin of the captive male swordtail comprises a quarter to a third of the body length. In the wild, the tail fin can reach up to 6 inches long.

Temperment

• The attractive fish tend to maintain loose school social habits with others of their species. They are peaceful and generally compatible as tank mates for other species of fish. There are variations in temperament that can result in a swordtail displaying bullying behavior. Aging males have a tendency for aggression toward tank mates, regardless of species.

Care and Feeding

• A swordtail will thrive in a tank that is plentiful with foliage and large enough to swim freely. Keeping a stock of floating plants is advised because of the propensity of the swordtail to eat their offspring. An omnivore, the swordtail can have a diverse diet, including fresh foods and flakes. A balanced diet consists of flakes daily with some blood worm or brine shrimp on occasion.

Fun Facts

• Swordtails originated in Central America and can be found between southern Mexico's Atlantic slopes and Guatemala.

  The red swordtail is a hybrid species that has been crossed between the red platy and the green swordtail. There are several variations of red swordtail, including the brick red, velvet red red wagtail and ted tuxedo wagtail.

  Female swordtails grow to 4.5 inches in captivity, and males average about 4 inches.