Ready for the next swordtail? Check out the Swordtail. Back to Swordtails — Overview. Open the Main Menu.

The Hi Fin Lyretail Swordtail is a fin variation of the Xiphophorus helleri Swordtail and is an easy-to-keep, peaceful, live-bearing fish, available in many color variations including red, yellow, and orange. The male Hi Fin Lyretail Swordtail has a feathery, lyre-shaped tail and flowing fins, with an extension on the lower part of its tail, resembling a sword. The fin variations of female Lyretails are not as impressive. The Hi Fin Lyretail Swordtail is a jumper, so be sure to provide an adequate cover over the aquarium. The Hi Fin Lyretail Swordtail is a very popular fish with all aquarists, from beginners to advanced and makes a beautiful, graceful addition to any aquarium.

The Hi Fin Lyretail Swordtail requires a tank of at least 30 gallons that is well planted with plenty of room for swimming. Because of its peaceful nature, the Hi Fin Lyretail Swordtail is well suited for the community aquarium, although it will sometimes eat fry. The male can be aggressive towards other males, so care should be taken when housing more than one.

The Hi Fin Lyretail Swordtail is a livebearer and can give birth to as many as 80 fry at one time. A spawning box is recommended, or if one is not available, dense floating cover should be provided to protect the fry from the adults. Once sex is determined, the males should be separated because swordtails can begin breeding at as young as three months of age.

The Hi Fin Lyretail Swordtail is an omnivore that will eat commercially prepared flaked foods and algae, as well as freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, and brine shrimp.

Ideal tank mates include: Guppies, Platies, Mollies, Tetras, Rasboras, Gouramis, Rainbowfish, Danios, Angelfish, Plecos and Scavenger Catfish.