{"product_id":"red-swordtail","title":"Red Swordtail","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.4em;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0.08em;color:#0a2a3a;border-bottom:2px solid #3a7ca5;padding-bottom:8px;margin-bottom:18px;text-transform:uppercase;\"\u003eRed Swordtail\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRed Swordtail\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eXiphophorus hellerii\u003c\/em\u003e) is a classic selectively bred color variety displaying a vivid, solid red body — one of the earliest and most enduring color variants developed from the wild-type Green Swordtail. The Swordtail is one of the most recognizable livebearers in the freshwater hobby — the dramatically elongated lower caudal fin ray of mature males creates an unmistakable sword-like silhouette that has made this fish a staple of community aquariums for over a century. Males are slimmer and more colorful with a fully developed sword; females are deeper-bodied and lack the extension entirely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;background-color:#e0f0f8;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;padding:14px 18px;color:#0a2a3a;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding \u0026amp; Care Tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSera Vipan Tropical Flakes\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Mini Algae Wafers\u003c\/strong\u003e make excellent daily staples for a balanced omnivore diet — swordtails need both plant matter and protein to maintain color and condition. Supplement 2–3× per week with \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen Daphnia\u003c\/strong\u003e, or \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Vibra Bites\u003c\/strong\u003e. For fry, \u003cstrong\u003eSera Micron Fry Food\u003c\/strong\u003e is an ideal first food. Feed small amounts 2–3 times daily. For best red coloration, choose a staple food that contains carotenoids or astaxanthin — these compounds actively deepen and sustain orange and red pigmentation in this variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003eNative to rivers and streams of eastern Mexico and Central America — from Veracruz south through Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras — where it inhabits clear, moderately flowing streams with abundant vegetation. The Red Swordtail is not a wild-type fish; it is a captive-bred color morph produced through deliberate selective breeding, one of the first developed from the wild Green Swordtail stock. It is as hardy and adaptable as its wild ancestors — tolerating a wide range of water conditions — but like all selectively bred color variants, color intensity is best maintained with appropriate diet, stable water, and a tank environment that doesn't stress the fish into suppressing pigmentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003eKeep with two or more females per male — males pursue females persistently, and a single female with no companions to share the attention will be visibly stressed. Male swordtails can also be aggressive toward rival males; if keeping multiple males, provide ample space and plenty of visual barriers. Swordtails are excellent community fish and compatible with most similarly-sized, peaceful species. A tight-fitting lid is important — swordtails are active swimmers and known jumpers, particularly when startled. An interesting and well-documented biological note: female swordtails occasionally undergo natural sex reversal, developing swords and male characteristics later in life — this is entirely normal and not a cause for concern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:24px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003eSwordtails are prolific livebearers — females produce 20–100 fry every 4–6 weeks, and females store sperm for several months, so a single mating results in multiple broods. Dense planting provides essential cover for fry and helps improve their survival rate alongside adults. \u003cstrong\u003eSera Micron Fry Food\u003c\/strong\u003e is an excellent first food for newborn swordtail fry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0.1em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#0a2a3a;border-top:1px solid #b0d0e8;padding-top:18px;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eCare \u0026amp; Ideal Parameters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:0.92em;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eBeginner — Easy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003ePeaceful community fish; males may fight each other — limit males or provide space\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eMales to 4 inches (10 cm) including sword; females to 4.7 inches (12 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eRecommended Grouping\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e1 male to 2–3 females minimum; groups of 6+ look best\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e20–30 gallons for a small group\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e72–78°F (22–26°C)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal pH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e7.0–8.0 — neutral to slightly alkaline\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal GH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e12–18 dGH — prefers moderately hard water\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eStaple Food\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eSera Vipan Tropical Flakes; Hikari Mini Algae Wafers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTreat \/ Supplement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eHikari Frozen\/Freeze-Dried Brine Shrimp or Baby Brine Shrimp; Hikari Frozen Daphnia; Hikari Vibra Bites — 2–3× weekly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eFry Food\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eSera Micron Fry Food\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e3–5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eCaptive-bred color variety; wild ancestors from rivers of eastern Mexico (Veracruz) through Central America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eNotes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eKnown jumper — tight lid required. Prolific breeder: females deliver 20–100 live fry every 4–6 weeks, sperm stored for multiple broods. Natural sex reversal in females is normal. Carotenoid-rich food deepens red color. Avoid fin-nipping tankmates.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n","brand":"Cuboid Nature Aquarium","offers":[{"title":"Pair","offer_id":52585411477815,"sku":"Xiphophorus hellerii","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Male","offer_id":52585411510583,"sku":"Xiphophorus hellerii","price":15.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Female","offer_id":52585411543351,"sku":"Xiphophorus hellerii","price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/cuboidstore.com\/products\/red-swordtail","provider":"Cuboid Aquatics LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}