Showa Swordtail - Xiphophorus hellerii

Showa Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii)

The Showa Swordtail, Xiphophorus hellerii, is a colourful captive-bred livebearer strain selected for bold red, white, black and orange markings inspired by Showa koi patterning. Like other swordtails, males develop the famous extended lower tail “sword”, while females are fuller-bodied and usually lack the sword extension. This active, hardy freshwater fish is best suited to peaceful hard-water community aquariums with plenty of swimming space, plants and stable water conditions.

Common Name:
Showa Swordtail, Showa Koi Swordtail, Koi Swordtail, Swordtail, Green Swordtail.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Xiphophorus hellerii
Often written in the trade as Xiphophorus helleri. Captive-bred Showa colour form.

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

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

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Showa form is a captive-bred ornamental strain and does not occur as a wild population. Wild Xiphophorus hellerii is native to Central America, where it inhabits freshwater and sometimes slightly brackish habitats, including vegetated streams, rivers, warm springs, canals and ponds. Aquarium strains have been selectively bred for many generations into a wide range of colours and fin forms.

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.

Temperament:
Peaceful but active. Showa Swordtails are good community fish when kept with robust, non-aggressive tank mates that enjoy similar hard-water conditions. Males may chase females and compete with other males, so groups should be planned carefully with either a male-only group in enough space or more females than males if mixed sexes are kept.

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 small, 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 display and courtship. Females give birth to free-swimming fry rather than laying eggs, and breeding can be frequent if both sexes are kept together. Dense planting and floating cover can help fry survive.

Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
Suitable with peaceful hard-water community fish such as platies, mollies, larger guppies, rainbowfish, peaceful barbs, hardy tetras that tolerate alkaline water, Corydoras kept within suitable parameters, bristlenose plecos and snails. 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 and regular water changes. Avoid very soft acidic water, sudden temperature drops and overcrowding. Provide plants, open swimming room and a secure lid, as swordtails are active and can jump. If keeping mixed sexes, expect fry and plan stocking accordingly, as females can store sperm and produce multiple broods. Colour and pattern placement vary between individuals in Showa strains.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Occasional in trade / Captive-bred colour 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.