{"product_id":"calico-showa-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii-freshwater","title":"Calico Showa Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pick up at \u003cstrong\u003e1885 Braselton Hwy, Suite D, Lawrenceville, GA\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour order is reserved — we hold off on bagging until you arrive, so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eCalico Showa Swordtail\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eXiphophorus hellerii\u003c\/em\u003e) is a hardy, peaceful livebearer wearing a bold calico pattern of red-orange, black, and white that calls to mind a Showa koi. Beginner-friendly, active, and endlessly colorful, it's one of the easiest community fish you can keep and a natural centerpiece for a planted freshwater aquarium. Pair it with the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock\u003c\/a\u003e to round out your community tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Beginner — exceptionally hardy and forgiving of typical water conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons; these are active swimmers that appreciate horizontal length.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72–79°F (tropical — a heater is recommended).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.0–8.3; they thrive in neutral to slightly alkaline water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate to hard, 12–30 dGH. Like most livebearers, they prefer harder water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful and social. Keep 2–3 females per male so attention is spread out and no single female is over-pursued.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePro tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e Swordtails are accomplished jumpers — always keep a secure lid on the tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;margin:6px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCalico Showa Swordtail\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eXiphophorus hellerii\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCentral America (captive-bred)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eUp to ~5.5\" for males (including the sword); ~4–5\" for females\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e20 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72–79°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e7.0–8.3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Hardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e12–30 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReproduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLivebearer (gives live birth)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSwordtails are excellent community fish. They mix well with other peaceful, similarly-sized species that enjoy the same water conditions:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther livebearers like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bumble-bee-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus-freshwater\"\u003eplaties\u003c\/a\u003e and mollies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeaceful schooling fish such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-skirt-tetra-gymnocorymbus-ternetzi-freshwater\"\u003etetras\u003c\/a\u003e and rasboras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBottom-dwelling \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/panda-cory-corydoras-panda-freshwater\"\u003ecorydoras catfish\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeaceful barbs and gouramis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid housing multiple males in a small tank, as they can become territorial — keep one male, or give several males a larger, well-planted tank. Steer clear of fin-nippers and large, aggressive fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-brine-shrimp-plus-flake-tropical-fish-food\"\u003eOcean Nutrition Brine Shrimp Plus Flake\u003c\/a\u003e — a quality tropical flake they'll eat readily\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-prime-complete-concentrated-water-conditioner\"\u003eSeachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e — dechlorinate and detoxify every water change\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse all \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eaquarium fish food\u003c\/a\u003e for variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd tank mates from our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock\u003c\/a\u003e collection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre Calico Showa Swordtails good for beginners?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — they're among the hardiest community fish available, tolerate a wide range of water conditions, and are very easy to feed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they breed in my aquarium?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLikely. Swordtails are livebearers and reproduce readily. Keeping more females than males and offering plenty of plant cover for fry are the keys to success.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many can I keep together?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKeep them in groups with 2–3 females per male. In a 20-gallon tank, a small group works well alongside other peaceful community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo they need a heater?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Swordtails are tropical fish and do best between 72–79°F, so a reliable aquarium heater is recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48798827315419,"sku":"FW1-F5639","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_807bede9-7bf7-4514-ae26-6bb54bb842b8.png?v=1779390272","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/calico-showa-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}