Berlin swordsman

Berlin Swordtail, trade English name Red Wagtail Swordtail. Artificially bred breed. It is a hybrid between the common Green Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) and the Black-tailed Pecilia. The exact time and place of appearance is not known.

This breed of fish was brought to the territory of modern Russia back in the era of the USSR. Due to closed borders, one of the few places where Soviet aquarists could purchase European and American novelties was the GDR (German Democratic Republic). The first batches were delivered from East Berlin, which is why the name “Berlin” was assigned to them.

Fish have a large body, especially females, and short dark fins. Body color is red or orange. Males, unlike females, have a characteristic “sword” on the tail.

Brief information:

• The volume of the aquarium – from 50 liters.
• Temperature – 16-28°C
• Value pH — 6.5–8.5
• Water hardness – soft to high (4-25 GH)
• Substrate type – any
• Lighting – moderate or bright
• Brackish water is permissible in a salt concentration of up to 15 g per 1 liter
• Water movement – light or moderate
• The size of the fish is 4–5 cm.
• Food – any food
• Temperament – peaceful
• Content alone, in pairs or in a group

Maintenance and care

Fish do not require much attention to themselves if kept in a suitable environment. Optimum conditions are achieved in a spacious aquarium with warm, clear water of medium to high hardness. It is acceptable to be in a brackish environment. In the design, it is desirable to provide several places for shelters, for example, in the form of thickets of plants.

Shelters will be needed for subdominant individuals. The dominant male exhibits territorial behavior and often pursues weaker relatives. In relation to other species, they are peacefully disposed. Compatible with many non-aggressive fish of comparable size.

Food. The daily diet may consist of dry food (flakes, granules). A good addition would be frozen or live foods, such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia.

Features of reproduction

Breeding is very simple. Under favorable conditions, sexually mature male and female will regularly begin to give offspring. However, it is worth remembering that Berlin Swordsmen easily interbreed with closely related species and other breeds. Therefore, if it is planned to keep a pure strain, then it is necessary to avoid joint keeping with swordtails and platies.