Green swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii)

Scientific name: Xiphophorus hellerii Heckel, 1848

Green swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii)

The Green swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows to about 10 cm (3.9 in). In the aquarium it needs a tank of at least 76 L (20 US gal) and water at 22–28°C (72–82°F). Native range: North and Central America, Rio Nantla, Veracruz in Mexico to northwestern Honduras.

Green swordtail care at a glance

Adult size
10 cm (3.9 in)
Minimum tank
76 L (20 US gal)
Temperature
22–28°C (72–82°F)

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.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Xiphophorus hellerii
Family
Poeciliidae (Poeciliids)
Order
Cyprinodontiformes (Live bearers, Killifishes and Rivulines)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
14.0
Common length
2.8
Environment
Freshwater; brackish;; pH range: 7.0 - 8.0; dH range: 9 - 19 benthopelagic; non-migratory
Climate
Tropical
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. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Potential pest
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: highly commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm

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Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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