Swordtail Fish
Looking for an active, colorful fish with a signature look? Swordtail fish are a popular choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists, known for their unique tail shape, vibrant colors, and peaceful nature. These elegant freshwater swordfish bring life and movement to any aquarium while remaining easy to care for.
Why Choose Swordtail Fish for Your Aquarium?
- Striking Swordtail Fish Colors: Available in red, orange, green, gold, black, and even koi patterns for bold visual impact.
- Iconic Sword Tail: Males feature a distinctive, sword-like extension on their lower tail fin, making them stand out in any tank.
- Hardy & Beginner-Friendly: Swordtails are adaptable and thrive in a range of water conditions, perfect for community tanks.
- Livebearers That Breed Easily: Like Platies and Guppies, Swordtail fish are prolific livebearers that are fun to breed.
- Great Community Fish: Peaceful and social, they pair well with Mollies, Guppies, Platies, Tetras, and other non-aggressive species.
Popular Swordtail Fish Types
Browse our premium selection of swordtail fish for sale and discover stunning variations in both color and pattern:
- Red Swordtail: A classic variety with vibrant red-orange coloring and bold tail extension.
- Koi Swordtail: Features a koi-inspired red, white, and black pattern with graceful finnage. Common species include Koi Kohaku Swordtail and Koi Sanke Swordtail Fish.
- Hi-Fin Swordtail: Elegant long fins and a dramatic silhouette, perfect for display tanks.
Swordtail Fish Care Guide
- Tank Size & Setup: A 20-gallon tank is ideal for a small group of swordtails; provide plants and open swimming space.
- Water Parameters: Maintain a temperature between 72–82°F (22–28°C) and a pH of 7.0–8.4.
- Diet & Nutrition: Swordtails enjoy a varied diet of flakes, pellets, live foods (like brine shrimp or daphnia), and blanched veggies.
- Tank Mates: Compatible with peaceful fish such as Guppies, Platies, Mollies, Tetras, and Corydoras catfish.
- Behavior: Males may chase females during breeding; maintain a 1:2 male-to-female ratio to reduce stress.
Swordtail Fish for Sale Online
Browse our premium collection of Swordtail fish for sale and find the perfect addition to your freshwater aquarium. Visit Splashy Fish to buy them online or at our aquarium store in Virginia for more freshwater fish for sale, betta fish for sale, freshwater shrimp for sale, live aquatic plants for sale, and aquarium supplies.
Order now and bring home the beauty of Swordtail fish today!
Swordtail Fish Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Swordtail Fish aggressive?
Swordtail fish are generally peaceful, but male swordtails can show mild aggression toward each other, especially in smaller tanks or during breeding. To reduce territorial behavior, keep only one male per group or ensure a larger tank with hiding spots. They do best in community aquariums with similarly sized, non-aggressive species like mollies, platies, guppies, and Corydoras catfish.
Where are Swordtail Fish from?
Swordtail fish originate from Central America, specifically freshwater streams and rivers in Mexico, Honduras, and Belize. In the wild, these freshwater swordfish are found in clear, fast-flowing waters with dense vegetation. Today’s aquarium swordtails are selectively bred for color and fin shape but still retain their hardy, adaptable nature.
Can Swordtail Fish live without oxygen?
No, swordtail fish cannot live without oxygen, but they don't require air pumps if your tank is properly filtered and well-aerated. Like most tropical freshwater fish, swordtails absorb dissolved oxygen from the water through their gills. A sponge filter, hang-on-back filter, or even live plants can help maintain healthy oxygen levels in a swordtail fish tank.
Testimonials
Let customers speak for us
Hello friends, I recently purchased a Giant Beta Galaxy Plakat. The fish came in professionally packaged the fish came in very good shape. The fish was exactly what I saw on splashy fish page. I named him Picasso He lives in a 90 gallon nano. He has a lot of tank mates that are obviously smaller than him and where he can feel like he is the boss.
Picasso is doing amazing his snacks on blood worms and scuds. I love my Picasso and I will take care of him for a long time.
My betta arrived safe and sound, and settled in immediately. He’s gorgeous very active, and obviously accustomed to human attention, eating with no trouble or hesitation and swimming to the front of his tank whenever he sees someone- no shyness at all.
I could not be more pleased.
He/she is great! Very active. I have been having a hard time finding colors other than golden locally, so was very happy with the variety here.
These little guys are a delight. I noticed them on our first visit in store and decided to get some month or so later. We started with 3 and then had to come back for 3 more after a few weeks. they have become one of my top favorite fish, next to the dwarf Cory catfish. Splashy Fish has really healthy fish and is now one of my favorite fish stores.
Great for all my fish!
She arrived from overnight shipping like a champ and ate shrimp within a couple of hours. Her colors really popped the next morning!
I love my zebra nerite snails, helping keep my tank clean. Quick and easy pick up order, thank you Splashy Fish! Will be a returning customer!
I was a bit hesitant to drop $25 on a fish, but I’ve spent so much time watching this little guy that now I only wish I had bought three or four. He loves shuffling around on the piles of potato sized smooth rocks I have in his tank. It is so fun to watch as he switches ricks; you see him left up his head a bit, size up the jump, and then take the leap!
The fish they had available were of very good quality and health. Beautiful selection to choose from, and the staff was very good.
As you can sees. The fork tail colors vs the spotted blue eyes. Also the peacocks! I’m in love with this store, owner very knowledgeable!
Fish are healthy! Staff was very knowledgeable and answered all my questions. Will definitely be back!
I bought 16 Rummy Nose Tetras several weeks ago. All are healthy and schooling around like crazy in my 40 gal breeder. Beautiful color and markings. Thanks Splashy fish!
Malaysian Sinking Driftwood
Turns out I was killing some of my fish with the food I was feeding. Nguyen could tell in an instant by looking at an ailing fish I brought in. With his help getting the right food, my fish recovered and I’m on the road to a healthier tank.
They have the largest selection of hardscape materials of any store I've been to in the Northern Virginia area! They carry a good selection of tanks and filters too, I bought an Oase filter there after getting some advice from the staff (who are fantastic!). They carry potted and invitro plants in store, as well as a great variety of livestock. I'll definitely be back when my tank is cycled!
