Red Eye Swordtail Xiphophorus Hellerii 3cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Red Eye Swordtail is a selectively bred livebearer whose vivid red body is set off by a distinctive red iris, giving the whole fish a glowing, uniform colour. Males carry the distinctive extended lower tail lobe, the sword, that gives the fish its name, and both sexes are constantly on the move. Native to Central America, it suits beginners and busy community aquaria.
- Adult Size: Around 10–12 cm (4–5 in); females larger, males longer with sword
- Lifespan: 3–5 years
Origin
- Native to: Southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras
- Habitat: Fast rocky streams, springs, ditches, ponds and rivers
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous, enjoys algae and vegetable matter
- Preferred Foods: Flake, micro pellets, Daphnia, bloodworm, brineshrimp, spirulina flake
- Feeding Habits: Small amounts twice daily; colour-enhancing foods deepen the red
Tank Mates
- Best with: Platies, mollies, tetras, rasboras, Corydoras, peaceful barbs, rainbowfish
- Avoid: Fin-nippers, large predatory fish, several rival males in small tanks
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful, active and sociable
- Territoriality: Males form a pecking order and chase rivals; keep more females
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Beginner (hardy and adaptable)
- Challenges: Prolific breeder; needs swimming space and hard water
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, hard and alkaline
- Temperature: 20–28°C (68–82°F)
- pH: 7.0–8.0
- Hardness: 10–25 dGH
- Flow: Moderate, enjoys some current
- Tank Size: Minimum 100 litres for a group of six; 120 cm long suits their active swimming
Final Notes
Swordtails are strong swimmers and jumpers, so give them a long tank with a tight lid and some current. They breed readily and females drop batches of live fry roughly monthly, so provide dense planting or expect to rehome young. Keep one male to two or three females to spread his attention, and note that males develop their sword only as they mature. Hardy, brilliantly coloured and endlessly active.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.