{"product_id":"red-velvet-cauliflower-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii-freshwater","title":"Red Velvet Cauliflower Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\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 Your 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\u003eRed Velvet Cauliflower Swordtail\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eXiphophorus hellerii\u003c\/em\u003e) is a premium show strain that takes the familiar swordtail in two directions at once. \u003cstrong\u003eRed Velvet\u003c\/strong\u003e is the colour: a deep, saturated, unbroken red with no wag markings or speckling to break it up. \u003cstrong\u003eCauliflower\u003c\/strong\u003e is the finnage: a tall, ruffled, heavily frilled hifin dorsal that the fish raises like a sail when it displays. Put those together on a fish that also carries the classic sword and you get one of the most striking livebearers available. Care level is beginner. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003elive fish\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to build the tank around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:14px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo things that catch people out with swordtails:\u003c\/strong\u003e they are committed \u003cstrong\u003ejumpers\u003c\/strong\u003e, so a tight lid is not optional, and they want \u003cstrong\u003ehard alkaline water\u003c\/strong\u003e, not the soft acidic water most tropical fish prefer. Get those two right and the rest is easy.\n\u003c\/div\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\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons long is the practical minimum, 29 gallons or larger is better. These are active, fast swimmers that use the whole length of a tank, and a group needs the room.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater is the key:\u003c\/strong\u003e pH 7.0 to 8.2 and \u003cstrong\u003eGH 12 to 30\u003c\/strong\u003e, moderately hard to hard. Most Georgia tap water suits them well. If yours is soft, raise the hardness with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-equilibrium-gh-mineral-builder-planted\"\u003eSeachem Equilibrium\u003c\/a\u003e or a bag of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquarium-co-op-crushed-coral-1-lb\"\u003ecrushed coral\u003c\/a\u003e in the filter, and check where you actually stand with a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-general-hardness-gh-test-kit-freshwater\"\u003eGH test kit\u003c\/a\u003e. Soft acidic water is the usual reason swordtails do poorly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 79°F. They tolerate the cooler end of tropical better than most community fish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid:\u003c\/strong\u003e mandatory. Swordtails are among the most reliable jumpers in the hobby, and a startled fish will find any gap. Cover cutouts for cords too.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e omnivore with a real vegetarian requirement. A quality flake such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-community-crave-krill-spirulina-flakes\"\u003eCommunity Crave\u003c\/a\u003e plus \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-spirulina-flakes\"\u003espirulina flake\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-algae-wafers\"\u003ealgae wafers\u003c\/a\u003e keeps the red colour deep. A diet of protein alone leaves them washed out and prone to bloat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e open swimming space down the middle with planting at the sides and back. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hornwort-ceratophyllum-demersum-freshwater-plant\"\u003eHornwort\u003c\/a\u003e and floating plants are worth adding, both for cover and because fry hide in them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProtect the finnage:\u003c\/strong\u003e that tall ruffled dorsal is a magnet for fin nippers. Keep tiger barbs, serpae tetras, and similar nippers out of the tank or you will watch the best feature of the fish get shredded.\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%;max-width:640px;\"\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\u003eStrain\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eRed Velvet colour, Cauliflower hifin finnage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eRed Velvet Cauliflower Swordtail, Hifin Swordtail\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;\"\u003eSelectively bred. Wild species from Mexico through Honduras.\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;\"\u003eAround 5 inches, males longer with the sword\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, males territorial 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\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e20 gallons long\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 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 to 8.2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e12 to 30 dGH, hard water preferred\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, needs vegetable matter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLivebearer, very prolific\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\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\u003eA good community fish with the usual livebearer caveats. They mix well with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/green-lantern-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus-freshwater\"\u003eplaties\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sailfin-molly-poecilia-latipinna-freshwater\"\u003emollies\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/full-gold-guppy-poecilia-reticulata-freshwater\"\u003eguppies\u003c\/a\u003e, larger peaceful tetras, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/panda-cory-corydoras-panda-freshwater\"\u003ecorydoras\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/racetrack-nerite-snail-vittina-sp-freshwater\"\u003enerite snails\u003c\/a\u003e, all of which appreciate the same harder water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatch the sex ratio.\u003c\/strong\u003e Males chase females relentlessly, so keep either a single male with two or three females, or a group of females only. Two males in a small tank will spend their time fighting each other, and the loser takes the damage on his fins. Avoid fin nippers entirely, and skip anything large enough to see a five inch fish as a meal.\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\/xtreme-community-crave-krill-spirulina-flakes\"\u003eXtreme Community Crave Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e, a balanced everyday staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-spirulina-flakes\"\u003eXtreme Spirulina Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e for the vegetable side of the diet and deeper red colour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-equilibrium-gh-mineral-builder-planted\"\u003eSeachem Equilibrium\u003c\/a\u003e to raise hardness if your water is soft\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-general-hardness-gh-test-kit-freshwater\"\u003eFritz GH Test Kit\u003c\/a\u003e so you know your actual hardness instead of guessing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hornwort-ceratophyllum-demersum-freshwater-plant\"\u003eHornwort\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/frogbit-portion-cup-limnobium-spongia\"\u003eFrogbit\u003c\/a\u003e for cover and fry hiding places\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\u003eWhat does Cauliflower actually mean?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is the name for the ruffled hifin dorsal. Instead of the short dorsal on a standard swordtail, these carry a tall fin with a frilled, crinkled edge that looks a bit like a cauliflower floret when it is fully raised. It is purely a finnage trait and does not change how the fish is kept.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo females have the sword?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The sword is the extended lower lobe of the tail and only males develop it, along with the gonopodium, the modified anal fin they use to breed. Females are fuller bodied with a plain fan tail. Ask us which we have in the tank if you want a specific sex.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they breed on their own?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlmost certainly, and quickly. Swordtails are livebearers and a female can drop twenty to a hundred fry roughly every month, often already carrying young when you buy her. Adults eat fry, so a few survive in a planted tank and the rest do not. Plan for that before you buy a group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep them with my soft water tetras?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is a compromise. Swordtails want hard alkaline water and blackwater fish want the opposite, so somebody loses. Pair them instead with other livebearers, which want exactly the same conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49027271098587,"sku":"8169940","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/Coli-a304133f-3451-4674-88d8-ba67178e304b.jpg?v=1785065673","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/red-velvet-cauliflower-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}