Variety of Green swordtail
Pineapple swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
One of 6 varieties of Xiphophorus hellerii · See all varieties →
FreshwaterFish
Varieties · Xiphophorus hellerii
See all 6 →
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 68–82°F
- 20–28°C
- pH
- 7.0–8.0
- Adult size
- 5.9 in
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 24 gal
- 90 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Breeding
- Easy
- Rarity
- Very common
- Family
- Poeciliidae
Overview
Pale yellow body with red or orange fins and edging, carried by LiveAquaria, Imperial Tropicals and other mainstream online shops. Pineapple is a trade name rather than a fixed standard, so stock varies. Some are lemon with a red sword edge, others carry an orange saddle running into the dorsal fin. Ask for a photo of the actual fish if the exact look matters.
In the wild
A farm color with no documented first breeder. Yellow and red swordtail lines were built like the reds, by selecting out of swordtail and platy crossings on farms. No published source names a person, country or decade behind the pineapple line, so treat it as a hobby line of uncertain origin. Nothing yellow like it occurs in the wild population.
Good to know
The yellow comes from xanthophores, the yellow pigment cells, with erythrophores concentrated in the fins and edging. Two pigment sets are being selected at once, so pineapple spawns throw a wide spread: plain yellows, heavier reds, and fish that read as marigold. Suppliers cull toward their own house look, which is why two shops' pineapples rarely match.
Did you know
Pineapple, marigold and sunset all describe the same yellow-to-red gradient, and shops move fish between the labels. To repeat a look, buy siblings from one supplier rather than trusting the name.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Pineapple swordtail is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Apple snail
Pomacea canaliculata
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)64–81°F (18–27°C)
Twin-stripe lizard loach
Homaloptera bilineata
Freshwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Wrestling halfbeak
Dermogenys pusilla
FreshwaterBrackish2.8 in (7 cm) · 25 gal (95 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Cosmops tetra
Bario cosmops
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Vermiculated squeaker
Synodontis schoutedeni
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Siamese flying barb
Laubuka siamensis
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Common questions
Is a Pineapple swordtail a different species from the Green swordtail?
No. A Pineapple swordtail is a variety of the Green swordtail, Xiphophorus hellerii, and it wants the same tank, water and food as the species.
What size tank does a Pineapple swordtail need?
A Pineapple swordtail needs at least 24 gal (90 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
How big does a Pineapple swordtail get?
An adult Pineapple swordtail reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).
Related species
4.1 in (10.5 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Kallman's swordtail
Xiphophorus kallmani
4.1 in (10.5 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
5.5 in (14 cm)32 gal (120 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Montezuma swordtail
Xiphophorus montezumae
5.5 in (14 cm) · 32 gal (120 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)15 gal (55 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Southern platy
Xiphophorus maculatus
2.8 in (7 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)15 gal (55 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Variable platy
Xiphophorus variatus
2.8 in (7 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)
2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Spiketail platy
Xiphophorus xiphidium
2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Northern mountain swordtail
Xiphophorus nezahualcoyotl
3.5 in (9 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)