Pineapple Swordtail's Care, Size, Lifespan, Tank Mates, and More!
Pinnaple Swordtail is very adaptable and can grow in many tank environments. These fish are a great choice for beginners.
It is not uncommon for you to come across a freshwater fish that fulfills the need to live in captivity and lead a comfortable, fulfilling life.
Well, the swordtail fish is one of the few variations that you can consider adding to your home aquarium. One thing that makes them so popular is their hardiness, as they can survive in very diverse environments.
The Pinnaple Swordtail is a very trendy community aquarium fish. Their popularity stems from their ease of care and gentle nature.
They have unique fins in a variety of colors, commonly known as Red or Green swordtails.
Whether you plan to keep them as a pet in an aquarium tank or in a community aquarium, you should know their general requirements. In this article, I will share in detail everything you need to know about freshwater Pineapple Swordtail and how to care for them in the conditions of your home tank.
Swordtail Fish Care.
When you first look at a swordtail, the first striking feature is the elongated caudal fin. However, this typical sword-like structure is only seen in males, making sexual dimorphism much more understandable.
In aquariums around the world, pets have diversified their color variations. So olive green, but you can also find red, orange and even black variations.
Lifespan of swordtail fish.
The lifespan of a typical swordtail fish is three to five years, which is typical for living freshwater fish.
Conditions such as genetic predisposition and disease can reduce their lifespan significantly.
Swordtail Fish Size.
Typical swordtail fish size is up to 16cm. Females are larger and can reach 16cm, while males measure up to 12cm - 13cm.
Swordtail fish habitat.
Although they are medium-sized fish, they are popular additions to community tanks because of their eye-catching appearance and sociable nature.
They are prolific breeders, which means they can breed comfortably in captivity. This is ideally useful for commercial fish farmers.
They are not only widely found in pet stores but are also sold by home aquarists who are professional breeders.
There is a fish store aquarium near me that sells Pineapple Swordtail for less than $10aud 1pc. You can check it here.
Size and parameters of swordtail fish tank.
The reason why these fish are ideal for beginners is because they have the ability to adapt to changes. They do not need much space due to their small size.
So, even if you fail to maintain optimal water parameters and tank setup, the swordtail will adapt itself to the new environment to live a comfortable life in the tank.
However, since you are the one taking care of them, it is always a good idea to know about the essentials of basic tank setup.
Tank requirement:
✅Minimum tank size 20L - 40L
✅Temperature 21℃ - 27℃
✅Water hardness is about 12-35 dGH.
✅pH 7.0 to 8.4
The fact that swordtails need to live in groups, these individuals are also very active. Therefore, placing them in a small tank will limit their free movement and cause them to become stressed.
If you are keeping a larger group of swordtails, I recommend starting with a 113L tank to give each fish ample space to swim around with maximum comfort.
How many swordtail fish are there in a 40L tank?
When you first start keeping swordtail fish in your tank, make sure to start with 5-6 fish in a 40L tank and then increase the number as you get a larger tank.
Water parameters for swordtail fish.
Swordtails are hardy tropical fish that can withstand a wide range of water temperatures.
The best thing about keeping swordtail fish is their compatibility.
You can pair them with any other type of freshwater fish and they will adapt to changing water parameters to optimize their health and well-being.
Aquatic plants for swordtail aquariums.
When decorating a tank for swordfish, you should always include plants that are naturally good for you and plants that can help them hide when needed.
You don't need to focus much on the substrate because they are not bottom feeders.
Some aquatic plants that are good for these tanks include:
Dwarf grass
They provide the swordtail with space to hide when needed and leave enough space in the tank for the fish to comfortably swim around without any discomfort.
Also, when adding plants, make sure you have a tightly covered tank lid as swordtails are jumpers and will rise to the surface and try to make a giant leap out of the tank.
Feed the swordtail fish.
You can feed them high-quality flake foods or live foods like bloodworms, crustaceans, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae or fruit flies because they will eat just about anything.
Tailed fish feed on algae and other vegetation in their natural habitat. Don't ignore the need for their suitable forage.
When they are young, they depend on protein-rich food to increase their strength and move around the tank comfortably.
It is recommended to feed them 2-3 times per day because they do not need much food. Feed them what they can finish in 1-2 minutes, more than enough to last them through the day.
Additionally, since they are not bottom feeders, you will need to remove any excess food they do not eat to avoid unnecessary soiling of the tank.
The personality of swordtail fish.
Caring for swordtails is one of the easiest as they get along well with other tank mates.
Swordfish are quite peaceful and friendly and will get along well with other tank mates.
They don't have to be herding creatures, but they should be kept in groups of 5-6 to help them feel comfortable in the tank.
Swordtail fish tank mates.
Swordtail fish are gentle and active fish. The gentle Corydoras are also great companions.
Some larger tetras can be great too, but keep them in groups of five or more to avoid harassment.
Some of the best mates for swordtails include:
✅Angelfish
✅Molly
✅Kuhli
Is Swordtail right for you?
If you are a beginner who wants to keep a hardy fish with adaptable temperaments and habits, the swordtail is one of the best species you can get your hands on today.
Final thoughts.
I hope my sharing can help you get more information about swordtail fish. If you are a beginner and have a lot of questions you want to answer but in this article I will not talk about it, you can CHAT WITH OUR EXPERT 1:1 or if you are free tomorrow, you can visit our store at:
Micro Aquatic Shop - The Fish Store Aquarium Near Me.
Unit 15, 2-8 Daniel Street, Wetherill Park, NSW 2164
Customer support: (02) 8320 3037
Email: support@microaquaticshop.com.au