Albino Red Cauliflower Swordtail - Xiphophorus hellerii

Albino Red Cauliflower Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii)

The Albino Red Cauliflower Swordtail, Xiphophorus hellerii, is a colourful captive-bred livebearer strain with a pale albino base, red to orange patterning and ornamental finnage that may show a fuller, ruffled or “cauliflower” appearance depending on the line. Males develop the classic swordtail extension on the lower tail, while females are usually larger and fuller-bodied. This active hard-water community fish is best suited to mature, well-filtered aquariums with stable mineral content, open swimming room and peaceful tank mates.

Common Name:
Albino Red Cauliflower Swordtail, Red Albino Swordtail, Cauliflower Swordtail, Red Swordtail, Fancy Swordtail, Green Swordtail.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Xiphophorus hellerii
Captive-bred albino red cauliflower strain.

Maximum Size:
Males usually around 10–14 cm including the sword. Females may reach around 12–16 cm and are often fuller-bodied than males.

Water Type:
Freshwater; can tolerate slightly brackish conditions, but normally kept in freshwater aquariums.

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Albino Red Cauliflower form is a captive-bred ornamental strain and does not occur as a wild population. Wild Xiphophorus hellerii is native to North and Central America, where it occurs in freshwater to mildly brackish habitats such as streams, rivers, warm springs, weedy canals and ponds with vegetation and open swimming areas.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–28°C
pH Range: 7.0–8.0
Hardness or Salinity: Moderately hard to hard freshwater preferred; avoid very soft, acidic water. Stable minerals, clean water and regular maintenance are important for long-term livebearer health.

Temperament:
Peaceful but active. Albino Red Cauliflower Swordtails are suitable for community aquariums with robust, non-aggressive tank mates that enjoy similar hard-water conditions. Males may chase females and compete with rival males, so mixed groups are best kept with more females than males where possible.

Diet:
Omnivorous. Offer quality tropical flakes, livebearer pellets, small granules, spirulina flakes, algae-based foods, frozen daphnia, brineshrimp, cyclops, bloodworm and occasional vegetable foods such as blanched courgette or spinach. A varied diet with plant matter helps support colour, digestion and overall condition.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 120 litres is recommended for a small group, with larger aquariums preferred. Swordtails are active swimmers and appreciate a longer aquarium with open swimming space rather than a cramped setup.

Behaviour & Activity:
An active upper-to-midwater livebearer that spends much of its time swimming in open areas, browsing plants and displaying. Males use the sword-shaped tail extension during courtship and rivalry. Females give birth to free-swimming fry rather than laying eggs, and breeding can be frequent if both sexes are kept together. Dense plants and floating cover help fry survive.

Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
Suitable with peaceful hard-water community fish such as platies, mollies, larger guppies, peaceful rainbowfish, hardy tetras that tolerate alkaline water, bristlenose plecos, snails and Corydoras kept within suitable conditions. Avoid aggressive cichlids, large predators, persistent fin-nippers and very soft-water specialists.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Keep in a mature, well-filtered aquarium with stable hardness, stable temperature and regular water changes. Avoid very soft acidic water, overcrowding and sudden temperature drops. Provide plants, open swimming room and a secure lid, as swordtails are active and can jump. Albino strains may show stress, marks or fin damage more visibly than darker fish, so careful handling and clean water are important. If both sexes are kept together, expect fry and plan stocking accordingly.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Occasional in trade / Captive-bred colour and fin form

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.