Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cyprinodontiformes (Rivulines, killifishes and live bearers) >
Poeciliidae (Poeciliids) > Poeciliinae
Etymology: Xiphophorus: Greek, xiphos = sword + Greek, pherein = to carry (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Meek.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.0 - 8.0; dH range: 9 - 19; non-migratory. Subtropical; 15°C - 25°C (Ref. 1672); 25°N - 20°N
North America: endemic to Mexico from southern Tamaulipas to northern Veracruz. At least one country reports adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 7.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5723); common length : 3.9 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 12193)
Occurs in warm springs, weedy canals and ditches (Ref. 5723). Feeds on worms, crustaceans, insects and plant matter (Ref. 7020). Used for genetic research (Ref. 4537). Aquarium keeping: minimum aquarium size 60 cm (Ref. 51539).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturities | Reproduction | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larvae
After 24 days gestation, up to 100 young are born.
Rodriguez, C.M., 1997. Phylogenetic analysis of the tribe Poeciliini (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae). Copeia 1997(4):663-679. (Ref. 26855)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Potential pest (Ref. 13686)
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Tools
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01023 (0.00456 - 0.02295), b=3.13 (2.95 - 3.31), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 2.8 ±0.27 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm<1; multiple spawning per year; Fec=100).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).