This species of swordtail is only very rarely offered in the trade. At the first glimpse one may think that they are a variety of the common swortail X. hellerii, but the species X. signum is much more slender. The mark that is responsible for the scientific name (latin signum = sign) is always good visible in females on the caudal fin base, while in males it is covered by the dark border of the sword.
![](https://www.aquariumglaser.de/wp-content/uploads/476655-xiphophorus-signum-2022-bild1.jpg)
![](https://www.aquariumglaser.de/wp-content/uploads/476655-xiphophorus-signum-2022-bild2.jpg)
![](https://www.aquariumglaser.de/wp-content/uploads/476655-xiphophorus-signum-2022-bild4.jpg)
![](https://www.aquariumglaser.de/wp-content/uploads/476655-xiphophorus-signum-2022-bild5.jpg)
![](https://www.aquariumglaser.de/wp-content/uploads/476655-xiphophorus-signum-2022-bild3.jpg)
![](https://www.aquariumglaser.de/wp-content/uploads/476655-xiphophorus-signum-2022-bild6.jpg)
![](https://www.aquariumglaser.de/wp-content/uploads/476655-xiphophorus-signum-2022-bild7.jpg)
Xiphophorus signum is, like most wild types of swordtail, quite demanding. It needs clear, bacteria poor water and a proper feeding with different types of food, including frozen and live food. Our specimens are German bred ones. We can currently offer XXL animals.
We have also made a small film about these fish, which you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFpvzF09W-k
For our customers: the fish have code 476655 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer