Test More Than Temperature
Livebearers often do best in moderately hard to hard, alkaline water. Know your pH and mineral content before selecting a species.
Livebearer Care
Active, colorful fish that can multiply quickly.
Guppies, mollies, platies, and swordtails thrive with stable mineral-rich water, balanced groups, swimming room, and a plan for fry.
Livebearer Basics
Match the species, group, and water.
These fish share many needs, but mollies and swordtails generally need more room than small guppies and platies.
Balance the Group
When keeping both sexes, use more females than males to reduce nonstop chasing. Provide plants and visual barriers.
Plan for Fry
Females can give birth repeatedly, and newly purchased females may already be carrying fry. Decide how you will house or place offspring.
Leave Swimming Room
Use a secure lid and combine open water with planted shelter. Swordtails are strong jumpers and active swimmers.
Feed a Varied Diet
Use quality prepared foods with suitable vegetable matter and occasional frozen foods. Feed lightly enough to protect water quality.
Watch for Stress
Clamped fins, shimmying, hiding, rapid breathing, or weight loss can signal water problems, bullying, or illness. Test the water first.
Do not add salt automatically: Correct the aquarium's water quality and mineral needs based on the species and setup. Ask before using aquarium salt in a community tank.