Red Hifin Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri)

The Red Hifin Swordtail is a bright, eye-catching livebearer with a vivid red body, active swimming behaviour and an extended high dorsal fin that gives this variety extra presence in the aquarium. Males also develop the classic sword-like extension on the lower part of the tail, making them especially striking once mature. This is a captive-bred colour and fin form of the popular Swordtail, a hardy freshwater fish that is well suited to larger community aquariums with clean, stable, moderately hard to hard water.

Common Name:
Red Hifin Swordtail. Also commonly sold as the Red Hi-Fin Swordtail, Red High Fin Swordtail or Red Swordtail.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Xiphophorus helleri
Often also written as Xiphophorus hellerii in scientific and aquarium references.

Maximum Size:
Around 10–12 cm in most aquariums, with large females capable of growing larger. Mature males may appear longer due to the extended sword on the tail.

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Red Hifin Swordtail is a captive-bred aquarium strain. The wild form of Xiphophorus helleri originates from Mexico and Central America, where it is found in streams, rivers, springs, canals and well-vegetated freshwater habitats. Swordtails naturally favour clean, oxygen-rich water and are more active swimmers than platies.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–28°C
pH Range: 7.0–8.2
Hardness: moderately hard to hard water preferred

Temperament:
Generally peaceful and suitable for community aquariums, although males can be competitive with each other and may chase females. Best kept with more females than males where possible to reduce pressure on individual females.

Diet:
Omnivorous. It should be offered a varied diet including quality flake, small pellets, algae-based foods, spirulina, blanched vegetables and frozen or live foods such as brineshrimp, daphnia and bloodworm. A varied diet helps maintain colour, condition and breeding health.

Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 100 litres, with a 3ft aquarium or larger preferred due to their active swimming behaviour and adult size.

Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active mid-to-upper level swimmer that enjoys open swimming space as well as planted areas for cover. Like other livebearers, females can give birth to free-swimming fry, so numbers may increase quickly in a mixed-sex group. The hifin dorsal makes this variety especially attractive, but it also means they should not be kept with fin-nipping tank mates.

Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
This species is generally peaceful and works well with other robust community fish that enjoy similar harder, alkaline water conditions. Suitable tank mates include platies, mollies, peaceful rainbowfish, danios, larger tetras, Corydoras and bristlenose plecos. Avoid aggressive fish, persistent fin nippers and very soft-water species that prefer acidic conditions.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in clean, well-filtered water with good oxygenation, stable water chemistry and regular maintenance. They prefer harder, more alkaline water and may not thrive long-term in very soft acidic aquariums. Keep a secure lid, as swordtails can jump, especially when startled. For mixed-sex groups, keeping one male with two or more females can help reduce harassment.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Common in trade

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.

Red Hi-Fin Swordtail - Xiphophorus helleri