How Big Do Swordtail Fish Grow?
It’s amazing to watch your swordtail fish grow larger with each passing day. But have you ever asked yourself how big they will eventually get?
The maximum length of an average male swordtail is 5.5 inches, whereas the maximum length of an average female swordtail fish is 6.3-7 inches.
However, Did you know that swordtail fish grow in size and acquire at varying speeds depending on their surroundings?
This guide will teach you everything about how big swordtail fish grow and the different growth rates depending on their environment, also what to do to ensure your swordtail fish grows to be as large and healthy as possible!
Size of Average Swordtail Fish
The typical swordtail fish is five or six inches long when fully grown in its natural setting.
However, these fish can vary as much as ten centimeters (four inches) between males and females, with the male being on average larger than the female.
This isn’t always the case for a captive-bred swordtail, which may not grow to that length due to space limitations and other restrictions imposed by captivity.
Because it won’t be able to grow as big in captivity, your swordtail will most likely be smaller than it would be otherwise.
Swordtail Fish Growing Stage
Swordtail fish can grow to different sizes at different stages of life as follows:
Week 1-4: Fry Stage
Swordtails are tiny when they are in the fry stage of their growth. They measure 0.25 inches after birth.
However, after four weeks, a swordtail is double in size and can grow up to 0.50 inches in size!
Week 4-8: Juvenile Stage
During these weeks, the fry grows into a juvenile. A normal Juvenile fry is about 1 inch in size and doesn’t grow much bigger. The maximum a Juvenile can grow is up to 1.5 inches.
Week 8-12: Young Swordtail
Juvenile swordtails will slowly grow into young swordtails. They will reach their full size around 2 inches long.
Week 12+: Adult Swordtail
This is the final stage of growth for a swordtail fish. They reach this stage after about six months old. Adult swordtails measure around 5-5.5 inches long.
Reasons Why Your Swordtail Fish Isn’t Growing
If your swordtail fry is not growing as it is supposed to, there might be some problems.
The reasons for a fry’s delayed development may include the following:
1. Bad Water Parameters
Swordtail fish are sensitive to changes in water parameters, so keeping them in an unfavorable environment will stress them out. This stress can keep your swordtail from growing any bigger.
2. Overcrowded Tank
If you don’t control the population of your fish, high nitrogen levels and a lack of swimming space can stress them out and delay their growth. This is especially true for swordtail fish, which are very active and need room to swim around.
3. Insufficient Nutrition
One of the worst things you can do is let your swordtail go hungry for weeks. This will stunt its growth and health.
Also, if you are feeding your swordtail the wrong food, it can also lead to deficiencies that will stunt its growth.
4. Genetics
Unlike the reasons above, which may be caused by negligence, this reason is something you cannot control.
Sometimes, a fish’s growth can be dependent on genetics – it may have inherited genes from its parents that make it grow slower than normal.
While this may be frustrating, you can still do your best to keep your swordtail healthy and comfortable, despite its size.
How To Help Swordtail Fish Develop Faster?
You can help your swordtail fish grow quickly and develop properly by providing them with the right conditions.
1. Provide Good Nutrition
Feeding your swordtail fish a healthy diet will help them grow and develop normally.
You should provide foods that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, proteins, and vitamins A & D.
Also, swordtail fish enjoy a variety of diets including Bloodworms, Brine Shrimp, mosquito larvae, and algae wafers.
2. Maintain Water Parameters
Swordtail fish need water that is within a certain range of pH and hardness levels to grow and develop properly.
Therefore, you should maintain water parameters as follows:
- Temperature between 73-80 degrees Fahrenheit
- The pH level of 6 to 8.
- Alkalinity levels below 50 ppm
- Hardness less than 20 dGH
3. Keep Your Swordtail Fish in an Appropriate Size Tank
You should keep your swordtail fish in a tank that can fit them when they are fully grown. They are active and will benefit from the additional area.
A 15-gallon tank is perfect for a single swordtail fish. You’re probably going to keep a small group! Groups of five or more are preferable (more on that later). If that’s the case, get yourself an aquarium with at least 30 gallons.
4. Maintain the Right Level of Light
Swordtail fish thrive in an environment with natural light, so you should make sure they are not kept under conditions that are too bright for too long.
An example of this is if you are raising a swordtail indoors. they need at least eight hours per day of light to survive.
Do Different Types Of Swordtails Have Different Sizes?
Swordtail fish size may vary depending on the type of swordtail. Green Swordtails grow up to 5.5 inches, while Red Swordtails grow up to 6.5 inches, and so on.
Suitable Foods for Swordtails at all Growth Stages
Here are the types of food you can provide to your swordtails and their key benefits.
1. Meat
Meat should be the main source of protein for your swordtails. At the fry stage, you should include it in their diet every day. However, in the adult stage, you can include it two or three times a week.
The best sources of protein include:
- Daphnia
- Brine shrimp
- Fruit flies
- Mosquito pupae
2. Vegetables
Vegetables are an essential part of the daily diet for swordtails since they are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Swordtails should be fed a diet that is high in spirulina and algae. Also, the addition of shredded or chopped mustard greens, spinach, peas, and any other popular vegetables is crucial.
3. Fruits
Fruits provide the nutrients, minerals, and vitamins your swordtails need every day. But because they don’t play a vital role in your fish’s diet, you should only give them to your fish once or twice a week.
It is best to give them grapes and bananas. These fruits have high sugar levels, which means that they will enjoy them as a treat and you can give them small pieces.
What is the Minimum Tank Size for Swordtail Fish Optimal Growth Rate?
To help your swordtails grow quickly and stay healthy, you will need to buy a 20-gallon community aquarium tank – the minimum size recommended – and also at least a 10-gallon tank specifically for the swordtail fry.
Last Words
If you want to help your swordtails grow quickly and stay healthy, be sure to follow these essential tips.
By doing this, we’re confident that you will have happy and thriving swordtail fish in no time!
We hope that this article has been helpful and informative If you have any additional questions, feel free to leave us a comment below!
