Choosing Swordtail Tank Mates
Good Swordtail tank mates share the same temperature and pH window, will not be eaten by (or eat) the Swordtail, and do not compete for the same swimming zone or feeding time. Each pair guide below scores those factors from 0 to 100 and gives the minimum tank size for keeping both species together.
Start with the highest-scoring pairs; anything under 45 is listed so you know what to avoid, not as a recommendation.
Care baseline
Hardy livebearer with a distinctive elongated lower tail fin in males. Peaceful community fish that tolerate a wide temperature range.
| Temperature | 65–80°F |
| pH | 7.0–8.3 |
| Adult size | 5 in |
| Minimum group | 3 |