All fish / Poeciliidae

Swordtail platyfish

Xiphophorus xiphidium

Also known as spiketail platyfish, spike-tail platy, xiphidium platy, rio soto la marina platy, swordtail platy, クシフォフォルス・クシフィディウム, 剑尾月光鱼

A small wild platy with a silvery olive body, a dark spot or bars near the tail base and, in males, a short pointed extension on the lower edge of the tail fin. It is kept by livebearer enthusiasts who want a true wild-type Xiphophorus rather than a colour-bred hybrid, and it suits planted community tanks with clean, hard water.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

7 to 8

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more, with more females than males

Diet

Omnivore: small flakes, algae and vegetable foods, brine shrimp, daphnia and bloodworm

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Mexico: Río Soto la Marina basin, Tamaulipas

Breeding

A livebearer: the male uses his gonopodium to fertilise females internally, and broods of 10 to 30 fry are born every four weeks or so. Breeding is easy, though dense plants or a separate tank help more fry survive.

Good to know

Keep it apart from other platies and swordtails to avoid hybridising and keep wild lines pure. Because it comes from a small native range, buy captive-bred stock where possible.