Red Wagtail Swordtail
The Red Wagtail Swordtail is not found anywhere in nature. It was artificially bred as a result of breeding with the Black-tailed Pecilia and the Green Swordfish. Where these fish were first bred is not known. The fish appeared on the domestic market in the last century. At that time, the fish were shipped from Berlin, GDR. Because of this fish became known as the Berlin swordtail.
Red Wagtail Swordtail have a large body. The females are slightly larger than the males. The body is colored orange or red. The fins are dark. Males have a characteristic sword on the tail plumage. The maximum size of the fish is 5 cm.
Red Wagtail Swordtail fish are not demanding and when kept in suitable conditions will delight with their behavior and attractive coloring. Keep these fish can be as singly, and a small group with a predominance of females. May be kept in a common aquarium with other peace-loving and commensurate in size fish. If the aquarium in addition to swordtails berlin will contain more related fish, you should keep in mind that the fish can interbreed, resulting in hybrids.
An aquarium with a volume of at least 50 liters is suitable for keeping swordtails. Along the back wall of the aquarium should be planted bushes of plants in the thick of which will hide fish. Also at the bottom of the aquarium should be placed a few large stones or snags. Males are territorial and take the favorite areas begin to chase away from her other fish. Especially the weaker males suffer, so the territory of the aquarium should preferably distinguish bushes of plants or stones.
To improve immunity in the water, you can dissolve table salt in the proportion of 6-8 grams per litre of water. Water parameters: temperature 16-28° C, hardness dH 5-25°, pH 6,5-8,5. Recommended filtration, aeration and weekly change of ¼ of the aquarium water with fresh. Water movement in the aquarium should be low.
Almost any substrate can be used as a substrate.
Lighting can be as bright as 0.5 Watts per litre. Daily light duration 10-12 hours.
The main food for the fish in the aquarium is a variety of dry food in the form of flakes and pellets. In addition, the fish are fed with frozen and live Artemia nauplii, daphnia and bloodworms. Feed the fish twice a day.
Reproduction
Breeding is not a problem with the Red Wagtail Swordtail. The fish usually give birth in the same aquarium where they permanently reside. The fry are born fully viable and are capable of leading an independent life from the first days.
The Red Wagtail Swordtail have a lifespan of about 3 years.
