Red Eye Blood Red Highfin Swordtail (Xiphophorus Helleri)

Red Eye Blood Red Highfin Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri) — Intense Colour, Dramatic Presence

The Red Eye Blood Red Highfin Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri) is one of the most visually striking varieties of fancy swordtail available. Combining a deep, saturated blood-red body colouration with the dramatic elevated dorsal fin of the High Fin variety and the distinctive red eye — a rare and captivating trait — this swordtail is a bold, eye-catching centrepiece for any planted community aquarium. Active, hardy, and beginner-friendly, it delivers maximum visual impact with minimal fuss.

Blood Red, Red-Eyed, and Magnificent

The blood-red colouration of this swordtail is rich and deeply saturated — a warm, intense crimson that glows under aquarium lighting and creates a stunning contrast against lush green planting. The elevated high fin rises dramatically above the body, adding height and visual drama to the fish’s silhouette, while the distinctive red eye adds an unusual and striking finishing touch that sets this variety apart from standard swordtails. Males carry the iconic elongated sword tail, completing one of the most dramatic livebearers in the hobby.

Care Profile

• Scientific Name: Xiphophorus helleri
• Origin: Selectively bred variety; wild type from Central America — Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras
• Size: Up to 10–12 cm (males including sword); females slightly smaller
• Temperament: Generally peaceful; males may occasionally spar — keep one male per tank or in a larger group with multiple females
• Diet: Omnivore — accepts quality flake, micro pellets, blanched vegetables, and occasional live or frozen foods such as daphnia and brine shrimp
• Water Temperature: 22–28°C
• pH: 7.0–8.0 (adaptable; prefers neutral to slightly alkaline water)
• Tank Size: Minimum 100L; active swimmers that appreciate open swimming space
• Livebearer: Gives birth to live young; females may give birth every 4–6 weeks in a well-maintained aquarium

Aquascape Compatibility

The Red Eye Blood Red Highfin Swordtail thrives in planted aquariums with open midwater swimming space and gentle to moderate water flow. It pairs beautifully with other livebearers — mollies, platies, and guppies — as well as peaceful tetras, corydoras, and rainbowfish. Its intense red colouration and dramatic high fin make it a natural focal point in any freshwater community setup.

Bold, intense, and unmistakably dramatic — the Red Eye Blood Red Highfin Swordtail is the livebearer that commands attention from every angle.