Freshwater Fish
Assorted Swordtails.
Swordtails in assorted colors, the males trailing the signature sword off the tail. Active, peaceful livebearers that are about as beginner-friendly as it gets — give them some swimming room and they'll thrive in a community tank.
We keep this species at our Erie store. Come and see it in the tanks, or call (814) 456-9445 and ask what we have in right now.
Sea Cave keeps this species. You will find these in the tanks at 660 East 14th Street in Erie. We never ship live animals.
- Condition
- new
- Fulfillment
- Local pickup — Erie, PA
We never ship fish, coral, or invertebrates — every animal here is one you meet in person. Each one is acclimated and health-checked in-house before it goes out into the display tanks. This is a species we keep, and what is swimming on any given day changes with the deliveries, so please call (814) 456-9445 before you drive in.
Care at a glance
What to know before you take one home.
- Care level
- Beginner
- Temperament
- Semi aggressive
- Adult size
- 5.5"
- Min tank size
- 20 gallons
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Scientific name
- Xiphophorus hellerii
Good tank mates
We don't have a set temperament or community rating filled in on this listing, so to be safe: compatibility depends on the individual fish and the mix you pick. Swordtails are generally easy-going livebearers that get along in active community setups, but the right tankmates vary, so avoid known fin-nippers and anything aggressive or big enough to eat them, and call us or stop in for pairing advice on the fish you're choosing.
Good to know
Male swordtails grow the long, sword-like extension off the bottom of the tail that gives the fish its name.
What is in the tanks and each animal's temperament vary — call (814) 456-9445 for pairing advice.
Good tankmates
Plays well with.
Species we’d keep in the same tank, with why each pairing works. What is in the tanks and each animal’s temperament vary — call (814) 456-9445 for advice on pairing.
New to stocking a tank? Read our guide on which fish live together.
Assorted Platy
Same genus as swordtails with nearly identical hard, alkaline water requirements (pH 7.0–8.3, 12–25 dGH) and a fully peaceful disposition. One of the most reliable livebearer pairings in the hobby.
Molly
Peaceful livebearer that thrives in the same hard, alkaline water swordtails need. Occupies mid-water without competing for territory and is universally listed as a compatible swordtail tankmate.
Bronze Cory
Captive-bred Corydoras tolerate pH 7.0–8.0 and up to 19 dGH, overlapping well with swordtail parameters. Strictly bottom-dwelling and peaceful, they occupy a completely different tank zone and are explicitly listed as ideal swordtail tankmates. Requires sand substrate and a school of 6+.
Visit the store
660 East 14th Street,
Erie, PA.
Mon–Fri 12–6 · Sat 11–4 · Sun closed. Call ahead on livestock — what's on the floor rotates.