Cultivated forms of livebearing toothcarps are like roses: the more refined they are, the more demanding they become. Just as roses require significantly more care the further the plant strays from its original wild form, so too do the lyra-finned swordtails prove to be considerably more demanding than their common, run-of-the-mill cousins. Large aquariums, optimal water maintenance, and a balanced, vitamin-rich diet are the basic requirements not only to keep these varieties alive but also to ensure they develop optimally.
Currently, red-bodied Wagtail swordtails (i.e., red fish with black fins) are being bred in the Lyra form. For anyone who’d like to try breeding them at home: you’ll need normal-finned males of the respective breed. Statistically speaking, 50% of the offspring will be normal-finned and 50% will be lyra-finned.
Maximum size: males approx. 8 cm, females approx. 12 cm (both without the sword); Temperature: 22–28°C; pH and hardness: not significant for care (tap water); Diet: Omnivorous; Social behavior: Predominantly peaceful schooling fish, but either only 1 male or more than 3 males per school.
For our customers: These fish are listed under code 420883 on our stock list. Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesale customers.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
