Green swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
The green swordtail is native from Mexico (Veracruz) to northwestern Honduras, from streams and rivers, springs and canals. Omnivorous. The male has the lower tail lobe extended like a sword; the female is larger. There are many colour varieties, and most aquarium fish have some platy ancestry. Males form hierarchies and fight. It is used in genetic research and has become invasive in several countries.
- Scientific name
- Xiphophorus hellerii
- Family
- Poeciliidae
Part of the hybrids
Fact sheet
General
- Water
- Freshwater
- Group
- Fish
Taxonomy
- Family
- Poeciliidae
- Order
- Cyprinodontiformes
- Synonyms
- Poecilia helleri, Xiphophorus brevis, Xiphophorus guentheri, Xiphophorus guntheri, Xiphophorus helleri, Xiphophorus helleri brevis, Xiphophorus helleri helleri, Xiphophorus helleri strigatus, Xiphophorus hellerii guentheri, Xiphophorus jalapae, Xiphophorus rachovii, Xiphophorus strigatus, Xiphorus helleri
Origin
- Native region
- América do Norte
Water
- Temperature
- 16–28 °C
- pH
- 7–8
- General hardness (GH)
- 10–25 °dGH
Size and lifespan
- Adult size
- 14 cm
- Minimum tank (volume)
- 108 L
- Minimum tank (length)
- 120 cm
Behavior
- Social life
- School
- Swimming level
- Middle
- Diet
- Omnivore
Care
- Care difficulty
- Moderate
Reproduction
- Breeding strategy
- Livebearer
Conservation and trade
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
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