{"product_id":"marble-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii-3cm","title":"Marble Swordtail Xiphophorus Hellerii 3cm","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Marble Swordtail is a selectively bred livebearer with irregular black marbling spread over a red, orange or pale body, giving each fish its own pattern. Males carry the distinctive extended lower tail lobe, the sword, that gives the fish its name, and both sexes are constantly on the move. Native to Central America, it suits beginners and busy community aquaria.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eSold as:\u003c\/em\u003e Pack of 6 (minimum order quantity)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 10–12 cm (4–5 in); females larger, males longer with sword\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 3–5 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Fast rocky streams, springs, ditches, ponds and rivers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Omnivorous, enjoys algae and vegetable matter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Flake, micro pellets, Daphnia, bloodworm, brineshrimp, spirulina flake\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Small amounts twice daily; include vegetable foods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Platies, mollies, tetras, rasboras, Corydoras, peaceful barbs, rainbowfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Fin-nippers, large predatory fish, several rival males in small tanks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Peaceful, active and sociable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Males form a pecking order and chase rivals; keep more females\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Beginner (hardy and adaptable)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Prolific breeder; needs swimming space and hard water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, hard and alkaline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 20–28°C (68–82°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 7.0–8.0\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 10–25 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Moderate, enjoys some current\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 100 litres for a group of six; 120 cm long suits their active swimming\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSwordtails are strong swimmers and jumpers, so give them a long tank with a tight lid and some current. They breed readily and females drop batches of live fry roughly monthly, so provide dense planting or expect to rehome young; marbling varies widely in the offspring. Keep one male to two or three females, and note that males develop their sword only as they mature. Hardy, eye-catching and endlessly active.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":65214256677241,"sku":"STF-SWORDTAIL-MARBLE","price":4.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-SWORDTAIL-MARBLE.png?v=1794507147","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk\/products\/marble-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii-3cm","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}