Green swordtail
(Xiphophorus hellerii)

The breeding of Xiphophorus Hellerii is one of the easiest in aquarium hobby!

Indeed, it will occur spontaneously when both sexes are involved in an aquarium. Breeding is frequent and the fry survival rate quite high, making it a particularly prolific species.

A temperature around 26°C or 79°F and a pH of 7.5 are the ideal parameters for breeding.

To parade, the male Green Swordtail realizes seduction movements to the female. When mating, it will fertilize the female with its gonopod. Interestingly, a single mating may be enough to give 3 to 5 litters (depending on the size and age of the female). Indeed, the female is able to store the sperm of the male for 3 months.

The eggs are incubated inside the female and will last between 4 and 6 weeks. The eggs will hatch directly into the belly of the female. Later, the fry expelled are already fully trained and autonomous.

Note that a single female can give birth between 20 and 120 fry, and this every 5 weeks or so. In a well-planted aquarium, most fry will survive.

Fry growth of this species is slower than other Poeciliidae. Indeed, it will take about 1 year to reach adult size.

If you want to raise the fry away from predators, do not use a nest! Instead, plan a small 60 liters (13 imp gal / 16 US gal) aquarium, exclusively for fry rearing. Equip this tank with filtration and heating. You can also put some plants. Take the pregnant female to isolate it in this aquarium until the fry are released and then remove it. Another solution is to catch the pups in the main tank to isolate them in this aquarium.

Fry food: nauplies of artemia and micro worms.

Watch out for consanguinity! Indeed, it can produce fragile fry, deformed and whose Longevity is much reduced. To avoid this, keep only the breeding adults in your aquarium, and sell / give the cubs. Another method: introduce new mature fish from time to time, either by buying them or by offering exchanges with other enthusiasts!