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Swordtail

Freshwater Beginner Peaceful

Swordtail grows to about 10 cm and needs a tank of at least 24 UK gal. Here's how to keep it healthy and what it lives well with.

Quick facts

Water type
Freshwater
Group
Livebearers
Difficulty
Beginner
Temperament
Peaceful
Swims
All levels
Adult size
10 cm
Minimum tank
24 UK gal
Min swim length
90 cm
Group size
3+ together

Water parameters

Temperature
21–28 °C
pH
7–8.4
Hardness
10–25 dGH

Tank & care

Swordtail is a shoaling species — keep a group of at least 3 so they feel secure and show natural behaviour. Kept alone or in twos they tend to turn shy, stressed or nippy.

Give it at least 90 cm of swimming length and hold the water around 21–28 °C. Match any new species to these ranges before adding them.

Plan a tank with this fish

Use the stocking calculator to see how many Swordtail your tank can hold and whether your planned tankmates are compatible — it's anchored to your net water volume and footprint.

Open the stocking calculator Calculate tank volume

Figures are conservative hobby-consensus estimates for planning. Individual fish vary — always research a species and watch how yours behave.

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