Red Eye Swordtail 5cm

Red Eye Swordtail

The red eye swordtail is a stunning strain of Swordtail, quickly rising in popularity. This eye-catching fish is such a saturated deep red which will Stan out in almost any aquarium setting. Being easy to care for and having a friendly temperament, they make a great choice for novice and expert aquarists alike, and they also offer the prospect of a rewarding breeding experience.

The red eye swordtails are named after their very obvious red eye, which is a result of the albino gene. Where most albino fish are a ghostly white, these fish have been selectively bred to feature an incredible deep red that runs from head to tail. These are a sight to behold, especially when they are in a large school, looking like a ball of fire swimming through the tank. Reaching up to 10 cm when they're fully grown, with the sword alone making half of that. Their body are long and slender, which stands out very well in an aquarium or pond.

Breeding swordtails is something that honestly requires minimal effort in the home aquarium. If there is a tank with both males and females, then getting fry is almost inevitable; however, it is always better to have a higher ratio of males compared to females. These fish are livebearers, meaning the females give birth to fully formed, free-swimming fry. It's quite a sight when a female swordtail releases her live young however, the parents don't provide any care for their young and may even consider them as a snack. So, it's important to provide ample hiding spots for the fry or move them to a separate tank.

Tank Recommendations for your Red Eye Swordtail

A minimum tank size of 75 litres is recommended for these fish, though larger is always better, considering their active nature and potential size. They love swimming in open spaces, but also appreciate plants and decor for hiding and exploring.

These fish spend a lot of their time near the surface of the aquarium and can jump out if there is no lid, so this will be required. The water temperature should sit between 22-28°C with a pH level of 7.0 - 8.5.

Suitable Tank Buddies

Red eye swordtails are generally peaceful and can share their home with a variety of fish.

Usually Compatible

Most small to medium-sized community fish like tetras, mollies, platies, and peaceful bottom dwellers like Corydoras.

Sometimes Compatible

Some larger, boisterous, or more active fish, such as larger barbs, severum, and Veja, may stress the swordtails. Betta fish may also view the swordtails a competitors and show aggression.

Rarely Compatible

Any fin-nipping species should be avoided as they might pester the sword tails. Large and aggressive predator fish should be avoided as well, since they will prey on the fish.

Feeding your Red Eye Swordtail

Feeding red eye swordtails is a very easy task. They're omnivorous and will happily accept a wide variety of foods. A balanced diet including quality flakes or pellets, along with regular servings of live or frozen foods like bloodworms or brine shrimp, will keep them healthy and their colours vibrant.