Marigold Wag Swordtail

Appearance:

• Body Coloration: The Marigold Wag Swordtail boasts a brilliant marigold-yellow to orange body with intense coloration. The term "Wag" refers to the solid black color on the fins, which creates a striking contrast with the bright body.
• Fins: The dorsal, caudal (tail), and sometimes the pectoral fins are typically black, giving the fish its "Wag" name.
• Sexual Dimorphism: Males have the signature sword-like tail extension on the lower part of their caudal fin, while females lack this extension and are generally more rounded in shape.

Size:

• Males can grow up to 5-6 inches (12-15 cm) including the tail, while females are slightly smaller, around 4-5 inches.

Lifespan:

• Marigold Wag Swordtails have a lifespan of 3-5 years, though with excellent care, they may live longer.

Behavior:

• Peaceful and Active: These swordtails are active swimmers and generally peaceful, making them well-suited to community tanks. Males can occasionally become territorial, particularly in smaller tanks, but this behavior is typically mild.
• Livebearers: Like all swordtails, Marigold Wags are livebearers, meaning females give birth to live fry every 4-6 weeks under good conditions.

Habitat & Tank Requirements:

• Tank Size: A minimum of 20 gallons is recommended for swordtails, as they are active swimmers and need plenty of space.
• Water Parameters: They thrive in slightly alkaline water with a pH of 7.0-8.3 and temperatures between 72-82°F (22-28°C).
• Aquarium Setup: Provide a well-planted tank with open swimming areas. Plants and decorations offer hiding spots, especially for fry.

Diet:

• Omnivores: Marigold Wag Swordtails do well on a varied diet, which includes:
  • High-quality flakes or pellets.
  • Vegetables: Blanched spinach, peas, and other plant-based foods.
  • Protein: Live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia.

Breeding:

• Prolific Breeders: Females can give birth to 20-50 fry every 4-6 weeks. A breeding box or dense planting can help protect the fry from being eaten by adult fish.
• Keeping a 1 male to 2-3 females ratio is recommended to prevent males from stressing females.

Tank Mates:

• The Marigold Wag Swordtail is compatible with other peaceful community fish, including:
  • Platies
  • Mollies
  • Guppies
  • Corydoras
  • Tetras

Health and Care:

• These fish are hardy but can be prone to common freshwater diseases like Ich or fin rot if water quality is poor. Regular water changes and a good filtration system are important for maintaining their health.

Temperament:

• Marigold Wag Swordtails are generally peaceful, but males may display mild aggression or territorial behavior, especially towards other males. Keeping them in a spacious tank with plenty of hiding spots can reduce stress.

Hardiness:

• As a robust species, they are beginner-friendly, adapting well to a range of tank conditions as long as the water is clean and well-maintained.