There are 18 different types of aquarium swordtail fish species. They all belong to the genus Xiphophorus in the family Poeciliidae of order Cyprinodontiformes.
Under the same genus are the platy fish, commonly referred to as platies. The platies and swordtails are popular freshwater fish native to northern Central America and Mexico.
In this post, we’ll tell you all about the different types of swordtails. In addition, you’ll learn more about their traits and personalities.
Let’s get started.
The 18 Types of Aquarium Swordtails
Here’s a brief overview of each type of aquarium swordtail fish. The more you know about these colorful tropical fish, the more you’ll know which ones to pick for your aquarium.
Take a look.
Chiapas Swordtail
Chiapas originated in Chiapas, Mexico, where they got their name. The male is easily distinguished by its bright green scales with scattered green and white spots.
- Scientific name: Xiphophorus alvarezi
- Aquarium water temperature: 77 – 82℉
- Aquarium pH levels: 7.2 – 8.1
- Size: 3.5 – 6 inches
Comma Swordtail
Commas get their name from their slender profile. They have a bright yellow-colored flank with visible marks on their flanks and caudal fins.
- Scientific name: Xiphophorus signum
- Aquarium water temperature: 75 – 82℉
- Aquarium pH levels: 7.2 – 7.8
- Size: 3 – 4 inches
Delicate Swordtail
Delicates are covered in vibrant scales with colorful patterns and striations. Both males and females have yellow caudal fins, while their dorsal fins have several black spots.
- Scientific name: Xiphophorus cortezi
- Aquarium water temperature: 75 – 82℉
- Aquarium pH levels: 7.5 – 8.2
- Size: 2 – 3 inches
El Quince Swordtail
Also known as ‘short-sword’ fish, these are slender, small, and fast-moving. They’re also distinguished by their semi-transparent bodies, which can sometimes appear to be metallic in color.
- Scientific name: Xiphophorus continens
- Aquarium water temperature: 73 – 77℉
- Aquarium pH levels: 7 – 7.5
- Size: 1 – 2 inches
Green Swordtail
Hellerii have an olive-green color with brown or red streaks on their sides. Yet, thanks to interbreeding that happens in captivity, they’re becoming more and more available in a wider array of patterns and colors.
- Scientific name: Xiphophorus hellerii
- Aquarium water temperature: 72 – 82℉
- Aquarium pH levels: 7 – 8
- Size: 5.5 – 6.5 inches
High-Backed Pygmy Swordtail
High-backed Pygmies share many similar traits with Pygmy Swordtails. However, their one distinguishing factor is their high backs, as their name suggests.
Scientific name: Xiphophorus multilineatus
Aquarium water temperature: 73 – 77℉
Aquarium pH levels: 7.2 – 7.8
Size: 1.5 – 2 inches
Highland Swordtail
Highlands are olive-green with zigzag stripes running horizontally. Their fins and bodies have yellow pigmentation.
- Scientific name: Xiphophorus malinche
- Aquarium water temperature: 59 – 70℉
- Aquarium pH levels: 7 – 8
- Size: 1.5 – 2 inches
Kallmani
Kallmanis are a relatively new species of swordtails. They’re also one of the largest and most colorful, with the males being covered in a shimmery brass color and a bright golden sword.
- Scientific name: Xiphophorus kallmani
- Aquarium water temperature: 72 – 82℉
- Aquarium pH levels: 7 – 7.5
- Size: 5 – 7 inches
Marbled Swordtail
Most Marbled fish are black and white with marble-like patterns. Still, you may also find some blue and red ones, often referred to as blue or red-marbled swordtails.
- Scientific name: Xiphophorus meyeri
- Aquarium water temperature: 73 – 82℉
- Aquarium pH levels: 7 – 7.7
- Size: 1 – 2 inches
Mayan Swordtail
Mayans have attractive orange stripes on their flanks with a metallic bluish body. Their swords are yellow-green with dark edges. Yet, the livebearing females have a pretty basic coloring that isn’t as flashy.
- Scientific name: Xiphophorus mayae
- Aquarium water temperature: 68 – 79℉
- Aquarium pH levels: 7 – 8
- Size: 3 – 4.5 inches
Mixe Swordtail
The Mixe are one of the few swordtail species found in wider regions of North America. They’re distinguished by the black spots around their fins and two orange stripes running along their flanks.
- Scientific name: Xiphophorus mixei
- Aquarium water temperature: 64 – 79℉
- Aquarium pH levels: 7.2 – 8
- Size: 1 – 1.5 inches
Montezuma Swordtail
Montezumas are best known for their iridescent, metallic-green color. The males also have horizontal sword-shaped tails, as opposed to most other species that have tails slightly pointing downward.
- Scientific name: Xiphophorus montezumae
- Aquarium water temperature: 68 – 79℉
- Aquarium pH levels: 7 – 8
- Size: 3 – 4 inches
Mountain Swordtail
Mountain swordtails are known for their hardiness more than for their bright, flashy colors. The males are a grayish-green hue with black edges and vertical stripes, while the females are duller in color and have no stripes.
- Scientific name: Xiphophorus nezahualcoyoti
- Aquarium water temperature: 66 – 77℉
- Aquarium pH levels: 7 – 7.2
- Size: 2 – 2.5 inches
Panuco Swordtail
Greyish-blue in color, Panucos are known for their single dark line on their mid-lateral regions. In addition, their caudal fins are longer compared with other species and have black edges.
- Scientific name: Xiphophorus nigrensis
- Aquarium water temperature: 73 – 75℉
- Aquarium pH levels: 7.5 – 8
- Size: 2 – 2.5 inches
Pygmy Swordtail
Pygmy males are covered in shimmery gold scales with three horizontal dark stripes on either side. The females, however, are duller in color.
- Scientific name: Xiphophorus pygmaeus
- Aquarium water temperature: 75 – 82℉
- Aquarium pH levels: 7.2 – 7.8
- Size: 1 – 1.5 inches
Sheepshead Swordtail
Sheepsheads are reddish-orange with vertical dark streaks on their bodies. The females usually have a zigzag line on their flanks.
- Scientific name: Xiphophorus birchmanni
- Aquarium water temperature: 75 – 82℉
- Aquarium pH levels: 7.2 – 8.2
- Size: 2.5 – 3 inches
Southern Mountain Swordtail
These species are similar to the Mixes in size and appearance. Yet, the one main distinguishing feature is that their orange stripes aren’t as bright or flashy as their counterparts.
- Scientific name: Xiphophorus monticolus
- Aquarium water temperature: 64 – 77℉
- Aquarium pH levels: 7.2 – 8.2
- Size: 1.5 – 2 inches
Yellow Swordtail
The Yellow Swordtail is bluish-green with several stripes running along the sides of their bodies. It actually gets its name from the color of its tail.
- Scientific name: Xiphophorus clemenciae
- Aquarium water temperature: 72 – 79℉
- Aquarium pH levels: 7 – 8
- Size: 2 – 2.5 inches
Conclusion
The varied types of aquarium swordtail fish make us appreciate these little guys even more. They’re so peaceful and easy-going that we sometimes tend to take for granted how well they fit into almost any environment.
Not to mention their appeal and beauty. All these features make them the perfect addition to your tank.