{"product_id":"red-twinbar-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","title":"Red Twinbar Swordtail - Xiphophorus hellerii","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRed Twinbar Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Red Twinbar Swordtail is a colourful captive-bred livebearer admired for its bright red body colour, active swimming behaviour and distinctive twinbar tail pattern. This ornamental form of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eXiphophorus hellerii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a hardy and lively community fish, best suited to mature aquariums with open swimming space, plant cover and stable, mineral-rich water. Males develop the classic sword-like extension on the lower tail, making them especially eye-catching in a mixed livebearer display.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRed Twinbar Swordtail, Twinbar Swordtail, Red Swordtail, Red Twinbar Livebearer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eXiphophorus hellerii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStrain \/ Form:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRed Twinbar captive-bred colour form\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApproximately 10–12 cm, with males appearing longer due to the tail sword\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWild \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eXiphophorus hellerii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e are native to Central America, where they occur in freshwater streams, rivers, ditches, springs and vegetated margins.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Red Twinbar Swordtail is a captive-bred aquarium strain rather than a wild colour form.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the aquarium, it does best in a mature setup with open swimming room, plant cover, gentle to moderate flow and stable water quality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperature: 22–26°C\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003epH Range: 7.0–8.2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHardness: Moderately hard to hard preferred\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmmonia\/Nitrite: 0 ppm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNitrate: Kept low and stable\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlow: Gentle to moderate preferred\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeaceful to active\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRed Twinbar Swordtails are generally peaceful community fish, but they are active swimmers and males can chase females or rival males.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey are best kept in groups with more females than males to reduce pressure on individual females.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvoid keeping them with very shy, slow-moving or delicate species that may be stressed by their activity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiet:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOmnivore \/ Livebearer Community Diet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRed Twinbar Swordtails are easy to feed and accept a wide range of foods.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOffer high-quality tropical flakes, small pellets, livebearer foods, spirulina flakes and vegetable-based foods as the staple diet.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSupplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, brineshrimp, bloodworm and mosquito larvae.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA varied diet helps support colour, condition and breeding health.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApproximately 100 litres for a small group\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA longer aquarium is preferred, as swordtails are active swimmers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLarger aquariums are recommended for bigger groups, multiple males or mixed livebearer communities.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Activity:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Red Twinbar Swordtail is an active mid-to-upper level swimmer that spends much of the day exploring open water and planted areas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMales may display to females and rival males by spreading fins, showing the swordtail and chasing briefly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis species is a livebearer, meaning females give birth to free-swimming fry rather than laying eggs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommunity Suitability:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eActive Community Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Red Twinbar Swordtail is suitable for peaceful to moderately active community aquariums.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuitable tankmates include platies, mollies, peaceful barbs, rainbowfish, larger rasboras, danios, bristlenose plecos, corydoras and other robust community fish that enjoy similar water conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvoid aggressive fish, fin-nippers, very soft-water specialists, tiny nano fish, very timid species and any tankmate likely to harass the males’ tail swords.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeep in a mature aquarium with stable water quality and good filtration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA ratio of one male to two or more females is recommended where possible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvide plants, floating cover and visual breaks so females and weaker males can rest away from attention.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis species prefers harder, more alkaline water and is not ideal for very soft acidic aquariums.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSwordtails are strong jumpers, so a secure lid is recommended.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFemales may produce fry regularly, and adults or tankmates may eat some young in a community aquarium.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf fry are to be raised, provide dense plants, breeding mops or a separate rearing setup.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRegular water changes and a varied diet will help maintain strong colour and overall health.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeginner to intermediate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon to occasional, depending on supplier and colour strain.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aqua Group","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":67175729266861,"sku":"AG-104910","price":3.45,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":67175729299629,"sku":"AG-104911","price":3.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large","offer_id":67175729332397,"sku":"AG-104912","price":4.25,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/RedTwinbarSwordtail-Xiphophorushellerii.jpg?v=1791624548","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/red-twinbar-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}