When I bought swordtail fish a few years back, I noticed it was getting anxious and dull after a few days. I made the aquarium according to the swordtail fish’s habitat, but nothing changed. Then, I researched and understood that I should add some tank mates to accompany my swordtail fish.
Adding tank mates is difficult as you must see their compatibility. I have compiled details below about the swordtail species and which tank mates are the best to keep inside.
Best Swordtails Fish Tank Mates
Here are some suitable tank mate options you can keep with your swordtail fish.
Lemon Tetra
Lemon tetras are small and beautiful. They are yellow or orange in color and have transparent fins. They have a peaceful fish temperament similar to swordtails.
Lemon Tetras can grow up to 2 inches. They swim energetically, so keeping them in a large size tank is better.
Fancy Guppy
Fancy guppies are omnivorous fish. They can also be quite a beautiful addition to your fish tank. Fancy guppies are small, making them a good tank mate. They can grow up to 1.5 inches.
Although they are easy to care for, one thing to note is that these fish can get fungal disease. Therefore, I recommend adding water salts whenever you do fish tank maintenance.
Zebra Danio
Zebra Danio fish come from the Asian regions.Their body looks like a missile with peach and yellow lines that resembles zebra lines. Zebra Danio can grow up to 2 inches and can live peacefully with other fish in a 10 gallon tank.
They live on omnivorous diets and prefer to live in cool water temperatures. These fish possess hardy behavior. These fish are known as schooling fish and can easily adjust themselves with your swordtail fish.
Madagascar Rainbow Fish
Madagascar Rainbowfish is another great option for you. Their diet is completely different from the swordtails’, so you don’t have to worry about the food choices.
Madagascar rainbow fish are also schooling fish, so it’s better that they are kept in groups. They require at least 20 gallons of tank space, as they can grow up to 5 inches.
Neon Tetra
Neon Tetras are often recommended because their striking appearance enhances the beauty of the fish tank. They also have a nature of keeping their tank mates busy.
Neon Tetras do not like lousy fish tank environments. You need to keep some plants and keep the tank clean all the time. Neon Tetras can live peacefully with other mates in a small size tank as they can only grow up to 2 inches.
Common Pleco
Common Plecos are widely famous pet fish around the world. They originate from South America. Neon Tetras are large in size and can grow up to 10 inches if kept in a proper environment. A 30-gallon tank is suggested to keep both happy.
Common Pleco are bottom feeder fish. They are best to keep with swordtail fish because of their peaceful and lively nature. They like to eat algae and love to play hide and seek.
Betta Fish
Bettas are another option to keep as mates with your swordtails. But it should be your last option. Bettas are carnivores, and the swordtail fish might become a delicacy anytime. If you feed them brine shrimps regularly, your Swordfish will remain safe.
The only requirement is to have enough room for both in the tank to swim. Bettas are aggressive swimmers because of their territorial traits.
They love to float on the surface of water. A 20-gallons tank is necessary to keep all the fish happy at all times.
Angelfish
Angelfish are a beautiful addition to any aquarium. They go well with swordtails. Because of their large size, angelfish’s swim speed is low. But the problem is that they are also carnivorous.
Catfish
Catfish species like Corydoras are excellent choices. Corydoras are best paired with swordtails because their habitat requirements are closely related to those of the swordtail fish.
Harlequin Rasbora
Harlequin Rasboras have shiny skin and beautiful fins, which add beauty to the fish tank. They can grow up to 2 inches and live on a carnivorous diet.
Black Molly
A stunning black color fish species that comes with a peaceful temperament. These fish thrive in alkaline water. They are content to feed on algae.
Facts About Swordtail Fish
Swordtail fish are a crossbreed fish between green swordtails and red platies. It is a live-water fish. As the name suggests, the swordtail fish has a sword-like long pointy tail.
They come in several different colors, such as velvet red and green. You can also find Swordtail species in all the pet stores.
Nature
Swordtail fish’s nature is the main reason for their popularity. Their adaptable personality and peaceful temperament make them unique and popular aquarium fish.
Because of its prolific nature, the swordtail fish get along with them easily. Male swordtail fish are considered more aggressive as compared to female swordtail fish. I recommend keeping just one male with three female swordtail fish at a time.
Size
Swordtail fish come under the category of medium-sized fish. Female fish are bigger than male fish. Male swordtail fish have a large tails.
Female swordtails tend to grow at least 6 inches to 8 inches long. The male species measures up to 5 inches (12cm) long.
Aquarium Requirements
Though the swordtail fish has adaptable, it still needs some space to live and swim freely. A 10 gallons aquarium is a compatible and excellent tank size for keeping them happy.
A water heater and a thermostat should be installed to keep the water warm. Add some aquatic decorations that keep them busy.
When adding aquarium decor, use a top lid, as the Swordtail fish are jumpers and jump out of the aquarium as soon as they get the chance.
Food Options
Swordtail fish diet is omnivorous. They feed on algae, crustaceans, insects, plants, and worms in tropical conditions. When you keep it as a pet, you can feed it a high-quality commercial diet like vegetation, fish flakes, and dried food items.
Ensure that the tank mates don’t have the same eating pattern as the swordtail fish. Otherwise, no one will get the proper diet.
Excellent Pet Option
I suggest swordtail fish as the best choice for beginners. They come in a beautiful color variety that increases the overall aesthetics of your fish tank. It is ideal to keep them with tank mates of the same nature.
If you are a fish breeder, then the good news, is that these fish are easy to breed.
Final Thoughts
I hope my valuable suggestions have helped you make your decision about the best Swordfish tank mates. If you need to know more, consult a vet for further guidance.
