What can live with Swordtail?

Swordtail is compatible with 30 species and needs care with 139 more; avoid 19. It needs at least 29 gallons, 72–82°F, pH 7–8.4.

Swordtail tank mates

Xiphophorus hellerii

Swordtail gets along with 30 species, needs care with 139, and should avoid 19.

Fish5.5" adultSemi-aggressive29+ gallons72–82°FpH 7–8.4

30Compatible

139With care

19Avoid

Best tank mates (hand-picked)

The most reliable companions for Swordtail — peaceful, and matched on water temperature and pH.

Colombian RamshornPeaceful snail, shares 72–82°F & pH 7–8.4 Horned Nerite SnailPeaceful snail, shares 72–82°F & pH 7–8.4 Olive Nerite SnailPeaceful snail, shares 72–82°F & pH 7–8.4 Red Racer Nerite SnailPeaceful snail, shares 72–82°F & pH 7–8.4 Opaline GouramiSemi-aggressive fish, shares 72–82°F & pH 7–8.4 Blue GouramiSemi-aggressive fish, shares 72–82°F & pH 7–8.4 Gold GouramiSemi-aggressive fish, shares 72–82°F & pH 7–8.4 Bamboo / Wood ShrimpPeaceful shrimp, shares 75–82°F & pH 7–7.5 Vampire ShrimpPeaceful shrimp, shares 75–82°F & pH 7–7.5

Stocking more than one fish?

Don’t check pairs one at a time. Add Swordtail and every other fish you’re considering to the compatibility checker, and see how the whole community gets along at once — with tank-size and water-parameter conflicts flagged automatically.

Check my whole list →

Best avoided (19 total)

A few to steer clear of — and exactly why:

OscarOscar’s mouth is big enough to swallow Swordtail (only 5.5" long) — it will be eaten.Blue Dream ShrimpSwordtail is 5.5× the length of Blue Dream Shrimp — easily mouth-sized, and anything that fits in the mouth is a predator.Mischling / Taiwan BeeSwordtail is 5.5× the length of Mischling / Taiwan Bee — easily mouth-sized, and anything that fits in the mouth is a predator.Blue Velvet ShrimpSwordtail is 5.5× the length of Blue Velvet Shrimp — easily mouth-sized, and anything that fits in the mouth is a predator.Cherry ShrimpSwordtail is 5.5× the length of Cherry Shrimp — easily mouth-sized, and anything that fits in the mouth is a predator.

The full compatibility list

Every species we checked against Swordtail — tap to expand.

Compatible (30)

Assassin SnailSnail · 1"Bamboo / Wood ShrimpShrimp · 3.5"Batik Nerite SnailSnail · 0.6"Bladder SnailSnail · 0.5"Blue GouramiFish · 5"Blue Mystery SnailSnail · 1.8"Colombian RamshornSnail · 2"Giant Sulawesi SnailSnail · 3"Gold GouramiFish · 6"Gold Mystery SnailSnail · 1.8"Horned Nerite SnailSnail · 0.5"Ivory Mystery SnailSnail · 1.8"Japanese Trapdoor SnailSnail · 2"KribensisFish · 3.5"Malaysian Trumpet SnailSnail · 1"Mystery SnailSnail · 2"Nerite SnailSnail · 1"Olive Nerite SnailSnail · 0.75"Opaline GouramiFish · 6"Pagoda / Spiky SnailSnail · 1.5"Pond SnailSnail · 2"Rabbit SnailSnail · 3"Ramshorn SnailSnail · 1"Red Racer Nerite SnailSnail · 0.75"Spike-Topped Apple SnailSnail · 1.5"Spiky NeriteSnail · 0.7"Sulawesi SnailSnail · 2"Tracked Nerite SnailSnail · 0.8"Vampire ShrimpShrimp · 6"Zebra Nerite SnailSnail · 1"

Keep only with care (139)

Avoid (19)

Swordtail tank mates

Best tank mates (hand-picked)

Stocking more than one fish?

Best avoided (19 total)

Design the whole tank, not just the stocking

The full compatibility list