HomeFreshwater aquarium fishGuppies & livebearersPygmy swordtail Pygmy swordtail (Xiphophorus pygmaeus) Scientific name: Xiphophorus pygmaeus Hubbs & Gordon, 1943 The Pygmy swordtail (Xiphophorus pygmaeus) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F). Native range: Central America, P?nuco River system, northeastern Mexico. Pygmy swordtail care at a glanceTemperature24–28°C (75–82°F) Species factsScientific nameXiphophorus pygmaeusFamilyPoeciliidae (Poeciliids)OrderCyprinodontiformes (Live bearers, Killifishes and Rivulines)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length4.0EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 7.2 - 7.8; dH range: 5 - 18 benthopelagic; non-migratoryClimateTropicalDistributionCentral America: P?nuco River system, northeastern Mexico.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