Product Details

Red Hi-Fin Swordtail – Xiphophorus hellerii

The Red Hi-Fin Swordtail is a bright captive-bred livebearer with strong red colour, active swimming behaviour and an enlarged dorsal fin that gives it extra display appeal. Correctly listed as Xiphophorus hellerii, this strain is a hardy, eye-catching choice for mature hard-water community aquariums. It is peaceful with suitable tank mates, but it is larger and more active than platies or guppies, so it needs proper swimming space and should not be kept in cramped aquariums.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Red Hi-Fin Swordtail
Other Names: Red Hi Fin Swordtail, Hi-Fin Red Swordtail, Red Swordtail, High Fin Swordtail
Scientific Name: Xiphophorus hellerii
Trade Spelling Sometimes Seen: Xiphophorus helleri
Fish Type: Livebearer
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Xiphophorus hellerii is native to Mexico and Central America, where wild swordtails inhabit streams, rivers, springs, canals and vegetated waters. Many aquarium swordtails, including the Red Hi-Fin form, are long-established captive-bred strains rather than wild-type green fish.

In the aquarium, Red Hi-Fin Swordtails do best in mature setups with open swimming space, plant cover, stable water and good oxygenation. They are active fish and appreciate a layout with both clear swimming lanes and planted areas where females and subdominant fish can avoid attention.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Red Hi-Fin Swordtails have a bright red to orange-red body, with males developing the classic extended lower caudal “sword”. The hi-fin trait produces a taller, more prominent dorsal fin, making the fish especially attractive when males display. Females are usually larger and rounder-bodied, while males are slimmer and show a gonopodium.

Adults usually reach around 8–12 cm, with males appearing longer when the sword extension is included. Fin length, sword length and red colour intensity can vary between individuals and breeding lines.

Aquarium Suitability:

This strain is well suited to hard-water community aquariums, livebearer displays and planted tropical setups with peaceful but confident tank mates. It is a good option for aquarists wanting a colourful, active fish that is generally hardy once settled.

Red Hi-Fin Swordtails are not suitable for tiny aquariums, soft acidic blackwater setups, aggressive predator tanks or communities with persistent fin-nippers that may damage the enlarged dorsal fin.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 100–120 litres, with a tank length of at least 80–90 cm recommended. Larger aquariums are preferred for groups, mixed-sex displays and multiple males.

Keep as a group, ideally with more females than males if both sexes are present. A ratio of around 1 male to 2–3 females helps reduce constant male attention. Male-only groups can work in spacious aquariums if individuals are monitored for chasing.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 22–28°C
pH: 7.0–8.2
Hardness: Moderately hard to hard
Additional Notes: Swordtails prefer stable mineral-rich water and should not be kept long term in very soft, acidic conditions. Maintain good filtration, oxygenation and regular water changes. Avoid sudden temperature or water-chemistry swings.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Red Hi-Fin Swordtails are generally peaceful, active community fish. Suitable tank mates include platies, mollies, larger peaceful tetras in compatible water, rainbowfish, danios, peaceful barbs, Cory-type catfish in suitable water, bristlenose plecs and other robust community species.

Avoid aggressive cichlids, large predators, very tiny fish, shrimp-breeding setups and fin-nipping species that may target the high dorsal fin. Male swordtails can chase each other and pursue females, so space, cover and sensible sex ratios are important.

Feeding:

Red Hi-Fin Swordtails are easy-feeding omnivores. Offer quality flakes, livebearer granules, small floating pellets and vegetable-based foods as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, brineshrimp, bloodworm, mosquito larvae and cyclops.

Include plant matter such as spirulina flakes, algae-based foods or blanched vegetables. A varied diet supports colour, growth, fertility and overall condition.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This is an active mid-to-upper water fish that spends much of the day swimming in open areas and exploring planted edges. Males may display with raised fins, show the sword extension and chase rivals or females. This is normal, but excessive harassment means the aquarium needs more space, more cover or a better sex ratio.

Swordtails are livebearers. Females give birth to free-swimming fry rather than laying eggs. In community aquariums, some fry may survive among dense plants, but adults and tank mates may eat many of them.

Care Notes:

Add Red Hi-Fin Swordtails only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Provide stable hard water, good oxygenation and swimming space. A secure lid is recommended, as active livebearers can jump when startled.

Because this is a hi-fin strain, avoid rough décor and persistent fin-nipping tank mates. Select stock with upright swimming, undamaged fins and good body shape. Do not overcrowd, as swordtails are active and males can become pushy in cramped conditions.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Common / Captive-bred strain

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, red colour, dorsal fin height, sword length, sex, body shape and markings can occur between individual fish.