Stats

Lifespan

3-5 yrs

Size

Small

Diet

Omnivore

Activity

Diurnal

Social

School

Biome

Freshwater wetland

Range

North America

Movement

Swimming

Breeding

Live Birth

Defense

Speed

Status

Uncommon

About

Orange Swordtail fish are a variety of the Green Swordtail, native to the tropical waters of Central America. They have an orange stripe along their dorsal fin, making them easily distinguishable from their green counterparts.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   hatchling fry

   A tiny fry hatches with a yolk sac and begins free-swimming once the sac is absorbed.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   A juvenile takes on adult body shape and feeds on small prey, often in nursery waters.
3. 3.
   adult

   Fully grown at adult size and coloration.

Learn more

• View on iNaturalist →
• Watch on YouTube →

Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Actinopterygii

Order

Cyprinodontiformes

Family

Poeciliidae

Genus

Xiphophorus

Species

Xiphophorus hellerii