Swordtail Koi Kohaku - Xiphophorus helleri

The Koi Kohaku is a great breeding form of the popular swordtail and is scientifically also called Xiphophorus helleri. Originally it is native to Central America and South America, where it is mainly found in fast flowing waters with dense underwater vegetation. Like guppies and others, it is a live-bearing toothcarp. The name is given by the conspicuous "sword" of the approximately 12 centimeter long males, which can be up to 4 cm long in adult specimens.

With its appearance the Koi Kohaku is a real eye-catcher in the aquarium. The front half of the body is bright to partially translucent, the rear part is colored red. Both sexes differ from each other mainly by the formation of the so-called sword. A speciality are "late males", which show female dimensions for a long time, even after formation of their anal fin, the gonopodium, which has been transformed into a mating organ. However, they are still capable of procreation.

In the aquarium, reproduction of the Koi Kohaku is very simple. After mating, the female carries eggs in her abdomen and releases between 20-150 live young per litter. Like guppies, she can store the male's semen and continue to self-fertilize for some time, which is why juveniles sometimes appear even in an all-girl group. A sufficiently dense planting, but also hiding places in the form of caves protect the young animals from the voracious mouths of their parents.

The aquarium for swordtails should have at least 80 liters of water volume and may be well weedy in places, so that especially the eternally entwined females can retreat to recover. Nevertheless, sufficient swimming space for the animals should be ensured. They make hardly any demands on their water values, if the water hygiene is correct. They prefer some current and can be kept in soft water, but also hard water and sometimes even brackish water. Since they are also very good jumpers, their aquarium should be well covered.

Even though the Koi Kohaku Swordtail is very closely related to Guppies and Platies, it can only interbreed and hybridize with the latter. Therefore, it is better not to keep them together. Since they have a strong social behavior and draw their strength from the group you should keep the Koi Kohaku Swordtail at least with 10 animals. With other color forms that we carry in the store they can also be maintained  , but then they cross among themselves which can lead to a colorful mix. Also fan shrimps are suitable as company, as well as well reproducing dwarf shrimp species like the Red Fire or also the Sulawesi Inland Shrimp. However, it happens that these or their offspring are hunted in places, many caves are therefore a must. Also with Dwarf shrimp the Koi Kohaku feels well. However, crayfish could get too close to its fins and injure it.

As an omnivore, the Koi Kohaku is easy to feed in the aquarium and will accept granules as well as flake food. It also keeps the algae population short, as it also tugs at algae and munches on the accompanying fauna found in it. Therefore it can be fed now and then with frozen or live food like Grindal, Mosquito larvae or Artemia can be spoiled. Because it also nibbles on soft plants it can be offered scalded vegetables.

Our food recommendationNatureHolic Guppyfeed is a fine soft granulate with 0.5 mm grain thickness, which is suitable as a staple food for all aquarium fish and especially for guppies. The soft consistency of the food pearls is reminiscent of that of natural insect larvae. It protects the sensitive fish mouth from micro injuries caused by hard or sharp-edged food. In addition to animal food, guppies also need a vegetable component in their diet. As special additives we add garlic extract and the leaf powder of the miracle tree Moringa olifera to NatureHolic Guppyfeed. These herbal additives are said to have positive effects on the immune system and the colorfulness of the colorful fish.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planaria and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.