Species › Livebearers

Swordtail tank mates and minimum tank size

Xiphophorus hellerii

Swordtails grow to 14 cm (5.5 in). They need 22–28 °C (72–82 °F) and pH 7.0–8.0.

Minimum tank

108 L (29 US gal), at least 120 cm (47 in) long

Adult size

14 cm (5.5 in)

Temperature

22–28 °C (72–82 °F)

pH

pH 7.0–8.0

Group

no minimum

Swordtail minimum tank size

Swordtails need at least 108 L (29 US gal), in a tank at least 120 cm (47 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 14 cm (5.5 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (56 cm (22 in)).

Swordtail tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against swordtails by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (27)

• Angelfish
• Black neon tetra
• Boeseman's rainbowfish
• Bristlenose pleco
• Bronze corydoras
• Cherry barb
• Common pleco
• Congo tetra
• Dwarf gourami
• Glowlight tetra
• Guppy
• Honey gourami
• Kribensis
• Lemon tetra
• Molly
• Mystery snail
• Nerite snail
• Otocinclus
• Panda corydoras
• Pearl gourami
• Platy
• Red tail shark
• Serpae tetra
• Siamese algae eater
• Tiger barb
• Yoyo loach
• Zebra danio

With care (16)

• BettaBettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as swordtails, many do not.
• Black skirt tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by swordtails and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Celestial pearl danioCelestial pearl danios (2.1 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger swordtails (14 cm).
• Chili rasboraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by swordtails and chili rasboras. That leaves no margin. Chili rasboras (3.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger swordtails (14 cm).
• Clown loachThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by swordtails and clown loaches. That leaves no margin.
• DiscusThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by swordtails and discus. That leaves no margin.
• Ember tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by swordtails and ember tetras. That leaves no margin. Ember tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger swordtails (14 cm).
• Endler's livebearerEndler's livebearers (2.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger swordtails (14 cm).
• Glass catfishThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by swordtails and glass catfish. That leaves no margin.
• Harlequin rasboraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by swordtails and harlequin rasboras. That leaves no margin.
• Neon tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by swordtails and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Paradise fishThe only temperature that suits both is 22 °C (72 °F), set by swordtails and paradise fish. That leaves no margin.
• Peppered corydorasThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by swordtails and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• Pygmy corydorasPygmy corydoras (3 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger swordtails (14 cm).
• Rosy barbThe only temperature that suits both is 22 °C (72 °F), set by swordtails and rosy barbs. That leaves no margin.
• White cloud mountain minnowThe only temperature that suits both is 22 °C (72 °F), set by swordtails and white cloud mountain minnows. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (9)

• Cardinal tetraSwordtails need pH 7.0–8.0; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Cherry shrimpSwordtails grow to 14 cm, big enough to eat adult cherry shrimp (4 cm).
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidSwordtails need pH 7.0–8.0; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so swordtails would be harassed.
• German blue ramSwordtails need pH 7.0–8.0; German blue rams need pH 5.0–6.0. No pH suits both. German blue rams (4.2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger swordtails (14 cm).
• GoldfishSwordtails need 22–28 °C (72–82 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Kuhli loachSwordtails need pH 7.0–8.0; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both.
• OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; swordtails grow to 14 cm.
• Rummy-nose tetraSwordtails need pH 7.0–8.0; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Check against another species Plan a tank