Marigold Swordtail – Xiphophorus hellerii

Description

The Marigold Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) is a vibrant freshwater livebearer that brings brilliant shades of golden yellow, orange, and amber to any community aquarium. Hardy, active, and easy to care for, Marigold Swordtails are an excellent choice for beginners while remaining a favorite among experienced aquarists looking to add constant movement and color to their tanks.

Males are easily recognized by the elongated “sword” extension on the lower lobe of their tail fin, while females grow larger and have a more rounded appearance. Their energetic swimming behavior and peaceful temperament make them a fantastic addition to community aquariums with other livebearers, tetras, Corydoras, rainbowfish, peaceful gouramis, and many other non-aggressive species.

Marigold Swordtails thrive in well-maintained aquariums with open swimming space, hardy live plants, and stable water conditions. They are highly adaptable and appreciate a varied omnivorous diet consisting of quality flakes, pellets, frozen foods, and vegetable-based foods. Spirulina flakes, blanched vegetables, and occasional live or frozen treats help keep their vibrant coloration at its best.

As livebearers, Swordtails are known for breeding readily in the home aquarium. Given healthy conditions, females can produce live fry approximately every 4–6 weeks, making them a rewarding species for hobbyists interested in breeding freshwater fish.

Whether you’re starting your first community aquarium or adding a splash of warm color to an established tank, the Marigold Swordtail is a hardy, beautiful, and entertaining fish that fits into a wide variety of freshwater setups.

Marigold Swordtail Care

• Scientific Name: Xiphophorus hellerii
• Common Name: Marigold Swordtail
• Care Level: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Adult Size: 4–5 inches (including the sword)
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
• Diet: Omnivore
• Water Temperature: 72–82°F
• pH: 7.0–8.2
• Compatibility: Excellent with peaceful community fish and other livebearers
• Origin: Selectively bred color variety of Xiphophorus hellerii (species native to Central America)

At PicKFish Pets, every Marigold Swordtail is quarantined and carefully observed before being offered for sale. We ensure our fish are healthy, active, and ready to thrive in your freshwater community aquarium.