Lyretail swordtail
The lyre-tailed swordtail, scientific name Xiphophorus hellerii, belongs to the Poeciliidae family. Known as Lyretail Swordtails in English speaking countries. A distinctive feature of this breed is the structure of the caudal fin, which has elongated upper and lower rays. The shape of the tail resembles the ancient Greek instrument lyre, for which the fish got its name.
A new breed of swordsmen appeared in 1968 thanks to the efforts of breeders Gordon and Kardanwala from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. In the mid-1960s, scientists purchased a batch of Red Swordtails from aquarium fish breeder Don Adams in Florida, which, in the course of a random mutation, developed deviations in the structure of the rays of the caudal fin. As a result of selection, the mutation was fixed, developed and turned into an inherited trait.
The lyretail swordtail easily crosses with other breeds and closely related species, such as the Paecilia, which has led to numerous hybrids. Pure strains are almost non-existent in the hobby aquarium hobby.
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
Like most other swordtails, this breed is considered easy to keep and can be recommended to beginner aquarists. The lyre-tailed swordtail is perfectly adapted to life in various conditions, including brackish water. Not picky about the choice of design. Able to get along with many other types of fish. Accepts most popular foods of the right size. The basis of the daily diet can be dry foods in the form of flakes and granules.
Aquarium maintenance is standard. It is recommended to carry out a weekly cleaning of the substrate from accumulated organic plaque (food residues, excrement), combining this procedure with replacing part of the water with fresh water.
Features of reproduction
A by-product of the selection was an excessive increase in the gonopodium in some of the males. The gonopodia is a modified anal fin that males use to fertilize females. Due to this feature, the process of reproduction is difficult or becomes completely impossible.
Professional breeders, in order to maintain a pure strain, use complex procedures for semen removal and artificial insemination.
Ordinary aquarists can use the cross-breeding method. When female Lyretail Swordsmen are paired with male regular Red Swordsmen. The genes responsible for the structure of the tail are dominant and are passed on to offspring, although not for the entire brood.
