How to Breed Red Swordtail Fish

According to Animal World, red swordtail fish are "easy to breed, fast growing and readily available." This combination makes them one of the most popular fish to keep and breed. Key factors to consider when breeding red swordtail fish are: temperature, pH, feed and foliage. If all these factors are adhered to and checked regularly, breeding red swordtail fish will be easy.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium
  • Heater
  • Filter
  • Litmus paper
  • Earthworms
  • Fish flakes
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set the temperature on your aquarium heater to between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius. This is the optimal temperature range for breeding.

    • 2

      Check the pH level of your aquarium water regularly - it should be neutral to mildly alkali, between 6.8 and 7.8.

    • 3

      Feed your red swordfish live earthworms. Live feed encourages the male fish to breed with the females.

    • 4

      Watch for black spots around the anus of the female, and for her belly to become swollen. This shows that she is ready to give birth.

    • 5

      Make sure there are plenty of plants and foliage at the bottom of your aquarium. In the wild, female red swordfish always lay their eggs amongst plants to hide them from predators.

    • 6

      The newborn red swordtail fish will swim immediately and can be weaned on fish flakes.