HomeFreshwater aquarium fishGuppies & livebearersMontezuma swordtail Montezuma swordtail (Xiphophorus montezumae) Scientific name: Xiphophorus montezumae Jordan & Snyder, 1899 The Montezuma swordtail (Xiphophorus montezumae) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 20–26°C (68–79°F). Native range: Central America, northeastern Mexico (Tamaulipas, northern Veracruz, San Luis Potos?). Montezuma swordtail care at a glanceTemperature20–26°C (68–79°F) Species factsScientific nameXiphophorus montezumaeFamilyPoeciliidae (Poeciliids)OrderCyprinodontiformes (Live bearers, Killifishes and Rivulines)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length5.5EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 7.0 - 8.0; dH range: 10 - 20 benthopelagic; non-migratoryClimateTropicalDistributionCentral America: northeastern Mexico (Tamaulipas, northern Veracruz, San Luis Potos?).Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More guppies & livebearersBlackbarred limiaLimia nigrofasciataRedtail splitfinXenotoca eiseniMosquitofishGambusia affinisSailfin mollyPoecilia latipinnaGuppyPoecilia reticulataGreen swordtailXiphophorus helleriiSee all guppies & livebearers SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026