Marigold Swordtail

Marigold Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii)

Brighten your aquarium with the vibrant and energetic Marigold Swordtail. This beautiful livebearing fish is admired for its brilliant golden-yellow to rich orange coloration, reminiscent of the vivid petals of a marigold flower. Males develop the species' signature elongated "sword" extension on the lower lobe of the tail, adding elegance and movement to this already eye-catching fish.

Hardy, active, and full of personality, the Marigold Swordtail is an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists looking to add bold colour to a peaceful community aquarium.

🌿 Why Choose Marigold Swordtail?
🧡 Brilliant golden-orange body coloration
⚔️ Males develop the iconic elongated sword tail
🐠 Active, peaceful, and constantly on the move
🌱 Ideal for planted and community aquariums
⭐ Hardy and beginner-friendly livebearer

Marigold Swordtails are lively swimmers that enjoy exploring every level of the aquarium, creating a colourful and energetic display throughout the day.

📏 Care Requirements
🧬 Scientific Name: Xiphophorus hellerii
📛 Common Name: Marigold Swordtail
🏠 Tank Size: 75L+ recommended
📏 Adult Size: Up to 12cm (excluding the sword extension)
🌡️ Temperature: 22–28°C
⚗️ pH Range: 7.0–8.2
🧘 Temperament: Peaceful
🍽️ Diet: Flakes, pellets, frozen foods, live foods, algae, and vegetable matter
👥 Group Size: 5+ recommended (more females than males if keeping mixed sexes)

Marigold Swordtails thrive in stable aquariums with plenty of swimming space and planted areas for shelter. A varied diet containing both protein and vegetable matter helps maintain their vibrant colouration and overall health.

🐠 Compatibility

Perfect for peaceful community aquariums. They mix well with guppies, mollies, platies, Corydoras, rainbowfish, larger tetras, rasboras, and other non-aggressive tropical fish. Avoid housing them with aggressive or fin-nipping species that may target the males' long sword tails.

Important Notes

Marigold Swordtails are livebearers and breed readily in freshwater aquariums. If both males and females are kept together, fry can be expected regularly. Providing dense planting or floating plants gives young fish valuable shelter. Males may occasionally display mild territorial behaviour towards one another, so maintaining a good female-to-male ratio and adequate space helps minimise aggression.

The Marigold Swordtail is a fantastic choice for UK aquarists looking for a hardy, colourful, and active tropical fish that combines brilliant golden-orange colouration with graceful finnage, making it a standout addition to any freshwater community aquarium.