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Cyprinodontiformes (Rivulines, killifishes and live bearers) >
Poeciliidae (Poeciliids) > Poeciliinae
Etymology: Xiphophorus: Greek, xiphos = sword + Greek, pherein = to carry (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Karl Bartholomäus Heller (1824–1880) was an Austrian botanist and naturalist who explored in Mexico (1845–1848 and again in 1850) and yet again as a member of the (1864) scientific mission instituted by Napoleon III during which he mapped the state [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Heckel.
Meio ambiente: milieu / Zona climática / intervalo de profundidade / faixa de distribuição
Ecologia
; Água doce; estuarina bentopelágico; pH range: 7.0 - 8.0; dH range: 9 - 19; não migratória (Ref. 126106). Tropical; 22°C - 28°C (Ref. 52054); 26°N - 12°N
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.
Tamanho / Peso / Idade
Maturidade: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 14.0 cm TL macho/indeterminado; (Ref. 26130); 16.0 cm TL (female); common length : 2.8 cm TL macho/indeterminado; (Ref. 12193)
Espinhos dorsais (total) : 0; Raios dorsais (total) : 11 - 14; Espinhos anais: 0; Raios anais : 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).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal.
Adults are found mainly in rapidly flowing streams and rivers, preferring heavily vegetated habitats (Ref. 26130). They occur in warm springs and their effluents, weedy canals and ponds (Ref. 5723). They feed on worms, crustaceans, insects and plant matter (Ref. 7020). Used for genetics research (Ref. 4537). Especially the red varieties are very popular aquarium fishes (Ref. 1672). Aquarium keeping: the males aggressive towards each other; minimum aquarium size 80 cm (Ref. 51539).
Ciclo de vida ou comportamento de acasalamento
Maturidade | Reprodução | Desova | Ovos | Fecundidade | Larvas
Female produces 20 to 200 young after a gestation period of 24 to 30 days. Attains sexual maturity after eight to twelve months (Ref. 26130). This species has a tendency to undergo sex reversal (from female to male) under certain environmental conditions (Ref. 6465).
Wischnath, L., 1993. Atlas of livebearers of the world. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., United States of America. 336 p. (Ref. 26130)
Status na Lista Vermelha da UICN (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2 (Global))
Ameaça para os humanos
Potential pest
Uso pelos humanos
Pescarias: altamente comercial; Aquário: Altamente comercial
Ferramentas
Relatórios especiais
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Fontes da internet
Estimativas baseadas em modelos
Índice de diversidade filogenética (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01000 (0.00609 - 0.01643), b=3.06 (2.93 - 3.19), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this species & (Sub)family-body (Ref.
93245).
Nível Trófico (Ref.
69278): 3.2 ±0.43 se; based on food items.
Resiliência (Ref.
120179): Elevada, tempo mínimo de duplicação da população menor que 15 meses (tm<1; Fec=20-200 * 12).
Vulnerabilidade da pesca (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
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