Red Eye Red Cauliflower Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) Pair

Common Name

Albino Red Eye Cauliflower Swordtail, Firecracker Swordtail

Origin and Habitat

The species Xiphophorus hellerii is native to the Atlantic slope of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. Wild fish occupy spring runs, clear creeks, vegetated ditches, and lower river channels with slow to moderate flow. Substrates range from fine sand and gravel to rounded stones with patches of leaf litter and dense aquatic or emergent plants. The Albino Red Eye Cauliflower form is a selectively bred aquarium morph and does not occur in the wild, but its care closely follows that of the wild species.

Temperature and Water Conditions

Swordtails are adaptable and thrive in stable, clean water with good oxygenation. Preferred temperature is 22 to 28°C, which is 72 to 82°F. Wild habitats are commonly neutral to alkaline with mineral content, often around pH 7.0 to 8.2. We do not recommend chasing or altering water chemistry except for special breeding projects. Stable conditions, consistent maintenance, and low nitrogen waste are far more important than exact numbers.

Appearance and Size

Albino Red Eye Cauliflower Swordtails show a pearly white to warm yellow base with orange to red highlights in the fins and a clear red iris, the hallmark of albinism. Males carry the elongated lower caudal rays that form the sword. The cauliflower trait refers to a tall ruffled dorsal formed by extra fin ray branching, which gives males a dramatic sail like profile. Females are larger bodied with shorter fins and no sword, often showing a faint gravid area when carrying young. Adults reach up to about 10 to 12 cm, which is 4 to 4.7 inches, with females commonly a bit heavier and males longer when the sword is included.

Diet in the Wild

Wild X. hellerii are omnivores that graze aufwuchs on stones and plants, taking soft algae, diatoms, and biofilm while picking at small invertebrates such as insect larvae, micro crustaceans, and worms.

Feeding in Captivity

Replicate that mixed menu. Offer quality flakes or micro pellets with a strong plant component such as spirulina. Rotate blanched greens or veggie gels, and supplement several times per week with live or frozen foods like baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and finely chopped bloodworms. Frequent small feedings match their natural browsing behavior and help maintain color, fin condition, and breeding vigor.

Behavior and Tank Setup

Swordtails are lively, social livebearers with confident midwater behavior. Males can show mild to moderate sparring, so provide line of sight breaks with plants and hardscape. A group with more females than males spreads attention and encourages natural displays. A planted community aquarium from about 20 gallons upward gives them room to cruise. Use gentle to moderate filtration, strong aeration, and a secure lid. Fine gravel or sand with rounded stones, driftwood, and dense stems or floating plants creates cover for both adults and future fry. Suitable tank mates include other peaceful livebearers, small rainbowfish, rasboras, Corydoras, and gentle algae grazers like Otocinclus.

Breeding

This is a prolific livebearing species that breeds readily when well fed and kept warm and stable.

Conditioning: Provide frequent varied feedings with plenty of greens and small protein rich items. Maintain very clean water with regular small changes and a steady temperature near the middle of the preferred range.

Mating and gestation: Males court with fin displays and quick pursuits. Fertilization is internal. Gestation is typically around four weeks, though temperature and diet influence timing. Females in good condition produce regular broods.

Birth and protection: Fry are fully formed and free swimming at birth. Adults may opportunistically eat newborns, so dense plants, moss clumps, floating mats, and fine leaf stems greatly improve survival by giving cover. A separate nursery tank can be used if maximum yield is desired, but a well planted aquarium often produces a steady trickle of juveniles without intervention.

Raising fry: Start fry on finely crushed flakes, powdered fry food, or live microfoods, then transition to baby brine shrimp for rapid growth and strong color. Keep water very clean with gentle filtration and frequent small top ups. Stable mineral rich water supports skeletal and fin development, which is especially helpful for high fin and cauliflower strains.

Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Xiphophorus hellerii
• Trade name: Albino Red Eye Cauliflower Swordtail, selectively bred aquarium form
• Origin: Atlantic slope of Mesoamerica, aquarium strain for color and fin form
• Size: Up to about 10 to 12 cm, which is 4 to 4.7 inches, males longer with sword
• Temperature: 22 to 28°C, which is 72 to 82°F
• pH: Commonly around 7.0 to 8.2 in the wild, stability is more important than exact value
• Temperament: Peaceful, active livebearer, males can be mildly territorial
• Diet: Omnivore grazer of algae and small invertebrates
• Breeding: Livebearer with regular broods, plant cover protects fry

Tropical Fish Co. Notes

The Albino Red Eye Cauliflower Swordtail brings classic swordtail energy with a show grade twist. The tall ruffled dorsal and clean albino palette stand out against green plants and darker scapes, and the fish remain hardy and forgiving for everyday community setups. We recommend a mixed group in a planted tank, strong aeration, and a routine that includes both greens and small live or frozen foods. For hobbyists who enjoy selective breeding, this morph offers a rewarding canvas for refining dorsal height, sword length, and color clarity while keeping the friendly temperament that makes swordtails a staple of freshwater aquariums.