Pygmy swordtail

Xiphophorus pygmaeus

Small size does not remove its need for water movement and clean water.

This natural yellow male is slender with dark scale edges and a lateral marking, without a long caudal sword. Yellow is a colour form, not another species.

Adult length: Up to 4 cm
Water temperature: 24–28 °C
pH: 7.2–7.8
Hardness: 5–18 dGH

The importer explicitly discourages small aquaria and stresses filtration, current and water quality. Its approximate 3.5 cm male size lacks SL/TL basis. Care ranges and lifespan remain unverified.

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Appearance and identification

Unlike the linked long-sworded montezumae male with its prominent dorsal, this pygmaeus has a short normal tail and slender body. Colour is not a universal identification cue; small size does not justify a tiny tank.

Same-species behaviour

Minimum count, sex ratio and footprint are unknown. The source gives a qualitative recommendation for larger, well-filtered aquaria with current.

Diet and feeding

In a 2003 behavioural study, sexually mature fish received flakes with occasional live brine shrimp and bloodworms. This records feeding of particular experimental stocks, not a complete nutritional formula; a daily home-aquarium ration remains unverified.

Compatibility limits

The importer distinguishes its requirements from common swordtails and platies. Specific community combinations remain unknown.

Aquarium environment

Planting should not obstruct the stated filtration and water-movement needs. Plant-specific and young-shrimp effects are unverified.

Sources

www.aquariumglaser.de ↗ 2026-10-23

sites.utexas.edu ↗ 2026-10-23