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HiFin Lyretail Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii)

The HiFin Lyretail Swordtail is one of the most elegant varieties of Swordtail available, combining an impressive high dorsal fin with beautifully extended lyre-shaped tail fins. Their graceful appearance, active nature and hardy temperament make them a standout choice for peaceful community aquariums.

These livebearing fish are easy to care for and are well suited to both beginner and experienced aquarists looking for something a little more unique.

Quick Facts

• Common Name: HiFin Lyretail Swordtail
• Scientific Name: Xiphophorus hellerii
• Family: Poeciliidae
• Origin: Captive-bred ornamental variety
• Adult Size: 10–14 cm
• Temperament: Peaceful and active
• Care Level: Easy
• Lifespan: 3–5 years

Appearance

HiFin Lyretail Swordtails are distinguished by their dramatically enlarged dorsal fin and elongated upper and lower tail rays, creating the elegant "lyretail" shape. Unlike standard male Swordtails, the traditional sword extension is reduced or absent, with the lyretail fin shape becoming the main feature.

Available in a wide range of colours including red, gold, pineapple, koi, calico and mixed patterns, these fish add movement and elegance to any freshwater aquarium.

Males are generally smaller and slimmer than females and display more pronounced finnage, while females are larger-bodied with shorter, more rounded fins.

Aquarium Requirements

A minimum aquarium size of 75 litres is recommended for a small group, although larger aquariums are preferred to provide ample swimming space and maintain stable water conditions.

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 22–28°C
• pH: 7.0–8.2
• General Hardness (GH): 10–25 dGH
• Moderate water flow
• Regular partial water changes

A well-filtered aquarium with open swimming areas and plenty of plants will help these fish thrive while showing off their impressive finnage.

Tank Mates

HiFin Lyretail Swordtails are peaceful community fish and are compatible with many other non-aggressive species.

Suitable tank mates include:

• Platies
• Mollies
• Guppies
• Corydoras
• Bristlenose Catfish
• Peaceful Rainbowfish
• Larger Tetras
• Peaceful Barbs

Avoid housing them with fin-nipping fish, as their extended fins are more susceptible to damage than those of standard Swordtails.

Feeding

HiFin Lyretail Swordtails are omnivores and enjoy a varied diet.

A balanced feeding routine should include:

• Quality tropical flakes or pellets
• Frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia
• Live foods as an occasional treat
• Spirulina-based foods and fresh vegetable matter including blanched spinach or zucchini

A varied diet supports healthy growth, vibrant colouration and excellent fin development.

Behaviour

These fish are active swimmers that spend much of their day exploring the aquarium. They are social and do best when kept in small groups.

Males may display to one another during breeding, but aggression is generally mild when adequate space and multiple females are provided.

Their flowing fins make them one of the most graceful livebearers to observe.

Breeding

HiFin Lyretail Swordtails are livebearers and give birth to fully formed, free-swimming fry.

Healthy females can produce broods every four to six weeks, with 20–100 fry depending on their size and condition.

Because the lyretail trait affects fin structure, breeding two lyretail fish together does not always produce offspring with perfect finnage. Selective breeding is often used to maintain the best fin shape and overall quality.

To improve fry survival:

• Provide dense plants or breeding mops for cover.
• Feed fry finely crushed flake food, powdered fry food or newly hatched brine shrimp.
• Consider raising fry separately for the best growth and survival rates.

Care Tips

• Maintain clean, stable water conditions.
• Avoid fin-nipping tank mates.
• Provide plenty of open swimming space.
• Feed a varied, high-quality diet.
• Include plants and hiding places to reduce stress.
• Keep one male with two or more females where possible.

Why Choose HiFin Lyretail Swordtails?

HiFin Lyretail Swordtails offer all the hardiness and personality of traditional Swordtails with the added beauty of spectacular flowing fins. Their peaceful nature, active swimming behaviour and distinctive appearance make them an exceptional feature fish for freshwater community aquariums.