alexraj

Hi All,

I am confused regarding the maximum size of sword tail. As you know from fish profiles it is 5". But I visited PetsMart where they say max. size is only 3". What bothers even more is they have sword tails of about 1.5 - 2", and labeled as large sword tails. Are there different kinds of sword tails that tend to grow smaller or is it just that their labeling is wrong.

Also, I have 5 tiger barbs in my 30 gallon tank, they are about 1.5-2" length as well. Will a 1.5" sword tail find his/her way with these barbs. I have a Gourami, and the barbs are not fin nipping. Just by eye balling, the sword tails seem smaller to my other tank mates. Any suggestions as to should I go ahead and get the sword tails?

Regards,
Alex.

Tom

They are just bred differently for their color and sometimes they only grow a certain size compared to the wild-caught ones that get to about 5". The average size for the tank bred ones is about 2-4" depending on the strain(color varitation).
Tom

alexraj

Thanks Tom. You are probably right. They are real cute ones, with bright red color. So, will it be ok to add these sword tails with tiger barbs of equal size.

Dino

It also depends on the species.
X. montizuma gets to 4 inches in body length and another 4 inches of tail.

MOST swords you see in the stores will be x. helleri or a x. helleri hybrid.