Flag swordsman

The flag swordtail, scientific name Xiphophorus hellerii, belongs to the Poeciliidae family. In Europe and America, the name of the breed sounds like Swordtails Hi Fin. Fish, both males and females, have a very large dorsal fin, due to the size of which the breeders have developed an analogy with the flag. Initially, red swordtails were carriers of such a fin, but later varieties of black shades appeared. The characteristic “sword” is found only in males.

This breed arose largely by accident and is a genetic mutation of the Red Swordtail. She first appeared in the late 1950s with a breeder from Garden (California, USA) Mrs. Thelma Simpson.

According to Simpson’s memoirs, one day in the incubator for aquarium fish located in the garage of her house, she accidentally discovered a fry that differed from its relatives by a surprisingly large dorsal fin. It was decided to keep the fry and try to propagate.

When he reached maturity (turned out to be a male) he was crossed with the females of the Red Sword. The experiment was successful, and the first batch of Flag Swordsmen, named Swordtails Hi Fin, was received.

From the beginning of the 1960s, information about the new breed appeared in all major aquarium magazines in North America, and soon commercial shipments of this fish began, including to Europe.

By now, there were no more “purebred” Flag Swordsmen like Mrs. Simpson’s had. Existing fish are the result of a long selection process that has lasted over the past decades. They may contain signs of other breeds and even closely related species, for example, Pecilius, to varying degrees.

The most famous hybrid is the Forked Swordtail, which appeared as a result of crossing with another breed – the Lyretail Swordtail.

If interested, more information about the history of the origin and development of the Flag Swordsman breed can be found in an article by Bobby Ellermann, on her Facebook page.

Brief information:

• The volume of the aquarium – from 100 liters.
• Temperature – 16-28°C
• Value pH — 7.0–8.0
• Water hardness – soft to high (10-30 dGH)
• 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 7–10 cm.
• Food – any food
• Temperament – peaceful
• Content alone, in pairs or in a group

Maintenance and care

Features of the content are similar to other Swordsmen. This is a rather unpretentious and hardy fish, which is perfectly adapted to life in various conditions. It is able to live in a very wide range of temperatures and pH and dGH values, including brackish water. It is not exacting to the choice of registration of an aquarium. Accepts most popular feeds.

behavior and compatibility. An active mobile fish, although the presence of a large fin makes movement somewhat difficult. In addition, such decorations will become a target for fish that tend to bite off other people’s fins. For example, such habits are inherent in some barbs. It is distinguished by a peaceful disposition both in relation to relatives and other species.

It is worth remembering that joint keeping with closely related species, in particular with Paecilia and Mollies, can lead to the appearance of hybrid offspring.