All fish / Poeciliidae

Maya Swordtail

Xiphophorus mayae

Also known as maya swordtail, mayan swordtail, giant swordtail, xiphophorus mayae, 玛雅剑尾鱼

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One of the largest swordtails, this wild species has an olive to silvery green body with a dark lateral stripe, and males carry a long, black-edged sword on the lower tail. It was described in 2002 and is kept by livebearer enthusiasts who want to maintain a true wild-type, unhybridised swordtail.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

7 to 8

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

One male with several females, or a larger group in a spacious tank

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and pellets, algae and vegetable matter, frozen and live foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Atlantic slope of Guatemala and Belize (Río Motagua, Lago de Izabal and Río Dulce basins)

Breeding

Livebearing like other swordtails, with females giving birth to broods of fry after a gestation of about four weeks. Breeding is straightforward in clean, well-oxygenated water, though adults may eat the young unless dense plants or a separate rearing tank are provided.

Good to know

Males grow large and can be quarrelsome with each other, so a long tank with good flow is needed. Keep it apart from other Xiphophorus species to avoid hybrids and preserve pure lines.