Brick Swordtail

Appearance:

• Color: A deep brick-red or orange-red body, with males featuring the characteristic long sword-like extension on their tails.
• Size: Males reach about 5-6 inches including the tail extension, while females are slightly smaller at 4-5 inches.

Lifespan:

• Typically 3-5 years, though they may live longer in well-maintained environments.

Behavior:

• Peaceful and Social, ideal for community tanks, but males may exhibit mild territorial behavior. It's recommended to keep them in a 1:3 male-to-female ratio to reduce stress on females.
• Livebearers: Females give birth to live young every few weeks, making them prolific breeders.

Tank Requirements:

• Minimum tank size: 20 gallons.
• Water parameters: Slightly alkaline water, pH 7.0-8.3, temperature 72-82°F (22-28°C).
• Tank setup: Provide plenty of swimming space and hiding spots with plants and decorations.

Diet:

• Omnivorous: Enjoys a variety of high-quality flakes, algae-based foods, and occasional live/frozen proteins like brine shrimp.

Tank Mates:

• Compatible with other peaceful community fish such as mollies, platies, guppies, tetras, and corydoras.