SCIENTIFIC NAME: XIPHOPHORUS HELLERI The Red Wag Swordtail, or Velvet Wag Swordtail, is an eye-catching color morph of the popular Swordtail. This variety generally has red on all of the body with the exception of black on the fins. The term ‘wag’ often refers to black finage no matter the color of the body. The Red Wag Swordtail is a beautiful and graceful addition to any aquarium. The Swordtail is perhaps the quintessential community aquarium fish, adding interest and color to the passive community aquarium, and makes a perfect addition for the novice to expert alike. The time-tested popularity of the Swordtail can be attributed to its ease of care, hardiness, peaceful temperament, and wonderfully diverse fin and color varieties. The most common Swordtail varieties include: Red Velvet, Marigold, Black Nubian, Pineapple, and Neon Swordtail. The male Swordtail is especially prized for its namesake feature, the showy extension on the lower part of its tail resembling a sword. The Red Wag Swordtail requires an aquarium of at least 20 gallons that is well planted with plenty of room for swimming. Like other Swordtails, the Red Wag Swordtail is a jumper, so be sure to provide an adequate cover over the aquarium. Peaceful in nature, the Red Wag Swordtail is well suited for the community aquarium. Males can be aggressive toward one another so care should be taken when housing more than one. Red Wag Swordtails are livebearers and can give birth to as many as 80 fry at one time. A spawning box is recommended, or if one is not available, dense floating cover should be provided to protect the fry from the adults. The Red Wag Swordtail is an omnivore that will eat commercially prepared flaked foods, freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, brine shrimp as well as algae.
