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This is the
largest bodied swordtail in the world. With frequent feeding,lots of live food
(Blackworms and earthworms
in particular) and frequent
water changes, these fish will
surpass 5 inches, with a long, striking sword. The X. mayae
male on the Home Page with a
very long sword is one of the current breeders. When allowed
to fully grow out, the alpha
males are simply magnificent with coloring that is just as
impressive as their size.
The male in the upper picture is well
over 5 inches, and some males develop very long swords.
The third video of an
older group shows how large they can get. Identified by a thick,
high body-
especially the broad caudal peduncle, the long spotted dorsal
fin and black stripe that
continues down
through the eye, this is a distinctive looking
swordtail. This fish was only
recently identified (2002) and in the specialist hobby for less than 10
years. This is a highly
sought after
fish. A friend has a 150 gallon tank planted with long leaved
Vallisneria,
Sagitaria and Java
fern, full of only mayae, and it is spectacular. They are
less
enthusiastic about eating
fry than some swords, but
it is still best to separate females to
another container to drop her young, which then should be raised
away from the adults
until they are about
1 month old. More information
Here.
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