Sheepshead swordtail
Xiphophorus birchmanni
Sheepshead swordtail features a streamlined body with vibrant, multicolored scales and a distinctive elongated tail fin.
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About the Sheepshead swordtail
A wild swordtail from eastern Mexico that loves fast, splashy streams and shows off bold vertical bars and a big, yellow-speckled dorsal. Males barely carry a sword at all, which always surprises folks, but they make up for it with tons of personality when kept in a roomy, well-oxygenated tank.
Also known as
Quick Facts
Size
7 cm
Temperament
Peaceful
Difficulty
Intermediate
Min Tank Size
20 gallons
Lifespan
3-5 years
Origin
Mexico - Rio Panuco and Rio Tuxpan basins
Diet
Omnivore - quality flakes and pellets, plus algae/veg and frozen-live foods
Water Parameters
24-28°C
7.2-8.2
5-20 dGH
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