Southern platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus)

Scientific name: Xiphophorus maculatus G?nther, 1866

Southern platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus)

The Southern platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows to about 4 cm (1.6 in). In the aquarium it needs water at 18–25°C (64–77°F). Native range: North and Central America, Ciudad Veracruz, Mexico to northern Belize.

Southern platyfish care at a glance

Adult size
4 cm (1.6 in)
Temperature
18–25°C (64–77°F)

Biology

Adults occur in warm springs, canals and ditches with typically slow-moving water, silt bottoms and weedy banks (Refs. 5723; 44091, 44894). Also inhabit creeks and swamps. Feed on worms, crustaceans, insects and plant matter (Refs. 7020; 44091). Used for genetic research. Several color varieties are popular aquarium fishes, where they attain sexual maturity after 3-4 months and reproduce easily. Aquarium keeping: minimum aquarium size 60 cm.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Xiphophorus maculatus
Family
Poeciliidae (Poeciliids)
Order
Cyprinodontiformes (Live bearers, Killifishes and Rivulines)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
4.0
Common length
2.4
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 7.0 - 8.0; dH range: 9 - 19 benthopelagic; non-migratory
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
North and Central America: Ciudad Veracruz, Mexico to northern Belize. At least one country reports adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: 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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