{"product_id":"pineapple-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii-freshwater","title":"Pineapple 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\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ePineapple Swordtail\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eXiphophorus hellerii\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most cheerful livebearers in the hobby — a bright golden-yellow body with that distinctive sword-shaped extension on the male's lower tail fin. Active, peaceful, and surprisingly hardy, Pineapple Swords add constant motion and warm color to community tanks. Each fish is hand-selected from our display systems at \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003eSqueaky's Aquatics\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePair them with other peaceful community fish like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-skirt-tetra-gymnocorymbus-ternetzi-freshwater\"\u003eBlack Skirt Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/panda-cory-corydoras-panda-freshwater\"\u003ePanda Corys\u003c\/a\u003e, or algae-eating \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pink-lady-nerite-snail-clithon-sowerbyanum-freshwater-algae-eating-snail\"\u003eNerite snails\u003c\/a\u003e. Browse our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003efreshwater fish collection\u003c\/a\u003e for more community-tank companions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\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 — hardy livebearer, very tolerant of typical tap-water parameters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons minimum for a small group; 29+ gallons recommended — swordtails are active swimmers that need horizontal space.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72–82°F (22–28°C).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.0–8.4 — prefers slightly hard, alkaline water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9–20 dGH. Swordtails do best in moderately hard water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore. Feed quality flake like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-brine-shrimp-plus-flake-tropical-fish-food\"\u003eOcean Nutrition Brine Shrimp Plus Flake\u003c\/a\u003e daily, supplemented with blanched veggies, frozen brine, and bloodworms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–5 years with good care.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid required:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — swordtails are jumpers, especially when stressed or chasing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAcclimation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drip acclimate over 30–45 minutes for stable transitions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\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%;max-width:520px;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;\"\u003ePineapple Swordtail (Pineapple Sword, Yellow Sword)\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\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePoeciliidae (Livebearers)\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;\"\u003eCaptive-bred color line; wild species from Central America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMales ~4\" body + ~2\" sword, Females ~5\"\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 with most fish; males can spar with each other\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes — grazes algae but doesn't damage healthy plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater (tolerates low brackish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\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\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGreat tank mates:\u003c\/strong\u003e peaceful community fish — \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/neon-tetra-small-5-qty\"\u003eNeon Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-emperor-tetra-nematobrycon-palmeri-freshwater\"\u003eEmperor Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/panda-cory-corydoras-panda-freshwater\"\u003eCorydoras\u003c\/a\u003e, other livebearers (mollies, platies, guppies), rainbowfish, and peaceful gouramis. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pink-lady-nerite-snail-clithon-sowerbyanum-freshwater-algae-eating-snail\"\u003eNerite snails\u003c\/a\u003e make excellent cleanup partners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMale-on-male sparring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mature male swordtails will display, posture, and occasionally chase each other — especially in smaller tanks. Keep \u003cstrong\u003eone male per 20 gallons\u003c\/strong\u003e OR add several so aggression is dispersed across the group. Females can be kept in any number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e fin-nippers (tiger barbs, serpae tetras), aggressive cichlids, and very small fry-predator setups. Adult swordtails will eat their own fry — provide dense plant cover if you want babies to survive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\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 — high-protein daily staple.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-prime-complete-concentrated-water-conditioner\"\u003eSeachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e — conditions tap water and detoxifies ammonia between water changes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-complete-water-conditioner\"\u003eFritz Complete\u003c\/a\u003e — one-step conditioner alternative.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003eBrowse all freshwater plants\u003c\/a\u003e for planted-tank options.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eBrowse all fish foods\u003c\/a\u003e for frozen, pellet, and flake options.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\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\u003eWhy is it called \"Sword\"?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nMature males develop a long, pointed extension off the lower edge of the tail fin — the \"sword.\" Females don't have it. The sword serves as a courtship display in nature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill I get male\/female sword combo?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nOur swordtails arrive in mixed batches. Come into the shop if you want a specific sex — males show the extended tail and gonopodium (modified anal fin); females are larger and rounder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many can I keep together?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nSwordtails do best in groups of 5+. In a 20-gallon tank, keep one male with 2–3 females. For a 29+ gallon, you can keep multiple males if there's room to disperse aggression. They breed prolifically.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a lid?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes. Swordtails are notorious jumpers, especially when a male is chasing or being chased. A tight-fitting lid is essential.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48806732595419,"sku":"470112","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_88c5aba8-b9c6-4b18-87f9-9c83151bfcea.jpg?v=1779722739","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pineapple-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}