Pineapple Swordtail

Looks how to spot one

scales

The Pineapple Swordtail has a bright golden-yellow body with a distinctive dark scale edging that creates a net-like or pineapple-skin pattern. Red or orange accent markings often appear on the fins and body. The male has a long, sword-like extension on the lower part of the tail fin, which is yellow with a black lower edge.54

Personality what they are like

Pineapple Swordtails are generally peaceful and get along well with other community fish such as tetras and other livebearers. However, males can be territorial and may spar with each other, so it is best to keep only one male or provide plenty of space and hiding spots.13

Daily activity how busy a day looks

These fish are active swimmers and need a tank of at least 20 gallons (80 litres) with plenty of horizontal swimming space. They appreciate a well-planted aquarium with open areas for swimming.13

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Care is straightforward for a beginner. A secure lid is essential because swordtails are known jumpers. Regular water changes and a good filter keep them healthy. They are very tolerant of typical tap water parameters.13

Home where they are happiest

Water temperature should be 20-28°C (68-82°F), pH 7.0-8.4, and hardness 9-20 dGH. They prefer slightly hard, alkaline water. A 20-gallon tank is the minimum for a small group, and a 29-gallon or larger is recommended for more active swimming. Provide dense vegetation and hiding spots, especially if keeping multiple males.134

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Omnivorous. They eat high-quality flake food, algae, blanched vegetables (such as spinach, zucchini, and nettle leaves), and live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia.163

Company who they like around

Pineapple Swordtails are peaceful community fish that do well with other non-aggressive species. Males can be aggressive towards each other, so it is best to keep one male with several females. They are livebearers and can breed readily, so be prepared for fry if keeping both sexes.13

The story where it all began

The Pineapple Swordtail is a captive-bred colour variety of the green swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii). It was developed in fish farms in Malaysia and Singapore through selective breeding for its bright golden-yellow body with a dark scale edging that resembles the skin of a pineapple. The green swordtail itself has been a popular aquarium fish for decades and has been used extensively in genetics research. Many ornamental swordtails are hybrids with other Xiphophorus species, but the Pineapple variety is a colour strain of X. hellerii.142