Males of the Pygmy Swordtail (Xiphophorus pygmaeus) become only about 3.5 cm long. So they bear an objectively correct name. The females become a bit larger, but even the dames are very small fshes, compared with the commonly known Swordtail, Xiphophorus hellerii. A very nice, yellow sport of the Pygmy Swordtail exists. It is also known from the wild. We can offer these rare fish currently, they are German bred ones.
Keeping and breeding of the Pygmy Swordtail differs a lot from the common Swordtails and Platies. The latter live in the wild preferably in shallow waters, often stagnat pools etc. The dwarfs, on the opposite, prefer the strongest current of the river. Only during dry seasons the Pygmy Swordtail can be found by chance along with the other members of the genus. This means that X. pygmaeus should not be kept in small tanks, desipte the small size of the body, but in spacious tanks with a good filtration and a strong current. Even more important is the regular water change, for Pygmy Swortails react very sensitve on bacteria and waste in their tankwater.
For our customers: the fish have code 476602 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
