White Wag Swordtail - Xiphophorus helleri

White Wag Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri)

The White Wag Swordtail is an attractive freshwater livebearer recognised for its pale white to silver body colour and contrasting darker fins and tail. Mature males develop the characteristic extended lower section of the caudal fin that gives swordtails their name. Active, hardy and easy to care for, this variety is well suited to spacious community aquariums with peaceful tankmates and stable, mineral-rich water.

Common Name:
White Wag Swordtail

Scientific Name (Latin):
Xiphophorus helleri

Maximum Size:
Approximately 10–12 cm

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The White Wag Swordtail is a selectively bred ornamental form of Xiphophorus helleri.

Wild swordtails originate from freshwater habitats in Central America, where they occur in rivers, streams and other well-oxygenated waters with vegetation and open swimming areas.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–28°C
pH Range: 7.0–8.2
Hardness: Moderate to Hard
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: Kept low and stable

Temperament:
Peaceful to Semi-Aggressive

White Wag Swordtails are generally peaceful community fish, although males may display territorial or competitive behaviour towards one another.

Keeping several females to each male can help reduce persistent attention towards individual females in mixed-sex groups.

Diet:
Omnivore

Offer a varied diet including high-quality tropical flakes, small pellets, frozen or live daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm.

Vegetable-based foods and spirulina should also be included regularly to provide a balanced diet.

Several small feeds are preferable to one large meal.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 100 litres

Swordtails are active swimmers and benefit from a longer aquarium with plenty of open water.

Larger aquariums are recommended for groups or where several males are being maintained.

Behaviour & Activity:
The White Wag Swordtail is an active and confident fish that typically spends much of its time swimming through the middle and upper areas of the aquarium.

Provide plenty of open swimming space together with planted areas and sheltered zones.

A fitted aquarium lid is recommended, as swordtails can jump when startled or excited.

Community Suitability:
Community Fish

The White Wag Swordtail is well suited to peaceful community aquariums.

Suitable tankmates include other livebearers, peaceful barbs, larger tetras, Corydoras and other non-aggressive species that tolerate similar water conditions.

Avoid highly aggressive or persistent fin-nipping tankmates.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
White Wag Swordtails prefer moderately hard, mineral-rich water and may struggle in consistently very soft or acidic conditions.

Stable water chemistry, good filtration and regular partial water changes are important for long-term health.

Swordtails are livebearers and can reproduce readily in suitable conditions. Females may produce repeated broods, so population growth should be considered when keeping mixed-sex groups.

Males can occasionally become competitive with one another, so adequate space and visual barriers are beneficial.

Because this is a selectively bred colour variety, the intensity of the white body colour and darker wag markings can vary naturally between individuals.

Suitable for:
Beginner

Availability:
Regularly available

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.