Green swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) fish species and information / pictures of Green swordtail - Xiphophorus hellerii

Green swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) fish species information

Scientific Name
Xiphophorus hellerii

Common Name
Green swordtail

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-14; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 8 - 10. This species is distinguished by having a medium to large swordtail with a long straight caudal appendage; midlateral stripe may be dusky or brownish (northern populations) or red; 2 additional reddish stripes may be present above midlateral line and one beneath; terminal segment of gonopodial ray 3 produced into a crescent-shaped hook and blade pointed distally; ray 4a curves strongly backward over the blade at an angle greater than 90?; distal serrae of ray 4p reduced in size and number and proximal serrae rather slender; terminal segment of ray 5a produced into a claw, several times larger than the distal serrae of ray 4p (Ref. 52914).

Classification

Classified By

Heckel, 1848

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Live bearers, Killifishes and Rivulines (Cyprinodontiformes)

Family

Poeciliids (Poeciliidae)

Distribution

Region

North and Central America

Distribution

North and Central America: Rio Nantla, Veracruz in Mexico to northwestern Honduras. Africa: Feral populations reported from Natal and eastern Transvaal as well as in Lake Otjikoto, Namibia (Ref. 7248). Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.

Range

12°N - 26°N

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

22 °C

Water Temperature To

28 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; ; pH range: 7.0 - 8.0; dH range: 9 - 19 benthopelagic; non-migratory

Trophic Level

3.19 s.e. 0.43 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

14.0 cm

Common Length

2.8 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: highly commercial

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (33 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm

Threat To Humans

Potential pest

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated