Xiphophorus

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This article is about the fish genus. For the free software foundation, see Xiph.Org Foundation.

Xiphophorus
Green swordtail, Xiphophorus hellerii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Cyprinodontiformes Family: Poeciliidae Genus: Xiphophorus Heckel, 1848
Species
See text.

Xiphophorus is a genus of freshwater fish in family Poeciliidae of order Cyprinodontiformes. The type species is X. hellerii, the green swordtail. Members of the genus Xiphophorus are Live-bearers, meaning that they reproduce via internal fertilization. The Xiphophorus species are often collectively called swordtails, but in the aquarium trade that name typically refers specifically to X. hellerii.

The various Xiphophorus species are native to areas of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and especially Mexico. All small fishes, they reach maximum lengths of 2.5–14 cm (1.0–5.5 in).

IUCN lists two Xiphophorus species, the marbled swordtail, X. meyeri, and the northern platyfish, X. gordoni, as Endangered, while the Monterrey platyfish, X. couchianus, is Critically Endangered.

Xiphophorus species are regularly used in genetic studies and scientists have developed many interspecific hybrids. The Xiphophorus Genetic stock center, founded by Dr Myron Gordon in 1939 is an important source of these fish for research. In addition, several species are commonly kept by aquarium hobbyists, especially X. helleri, X. maculatus and X. variatus.

The name Xiphophorus derives from the Greek words ξίφος (sword) and φόρος (bearer).

[edit] Species

FishBase lists 47 species:

• Chiapas swordtail, Xiphophorus alvarezi Rosen, 1960.
• Spiketail platyfish, Xiphophorus andersi Meyer & Schartl, 1980.
• Sheepshead swordtail, Xiphophorus birchmanni Lechner & Radda, 1987.
• Yellow swordtail, Xiphophorus clemenciae Alvarez, 1959.
• Short-sword platyfish, Xiphophorus continens Rauchenberger, Kallman & Morizot, 1990.
• Delicate swordtail, Xiphophorus cortezi Rosen, 1960.
• Monterrey platyfish, Xiphophorus couchianus (Girard, 1859).
• Puebla platyfish, Xiphophorus evelynae Rosen, 1960.
• Northern platyfish, Xiphophorus gordoni Miller & Minckley, 1963.
• Green swordtail, Xiphophorus hellerii Heckel, 1848.
• Xiphophorus kosszanderi Meyer & Wischnath, 1981.
• Southern platyfish, Xiphophorus maculatus (Günther, 1866).
• Highland swordtail, Xiphophorus malinche Rauchenberger, Kallman & Morizot, 1990.
• Xiphophorus mayae Meyer & Schartl, 2002.
• Marbled swordtail, Xiphophorus meyeri Schartl & Schröder, 1988.
• Catemaco platyfish, Xiphophorus milleri Rosen, 1960.
• Mixe swordtail, Xiphophorus mixei Kallman, Walter, Morizot & Kazianis, 2004.
• Montezuma swordtail, Xiphophorus montezumae Jordan & Snyder, 1899.
• Xiphophorus monticolus Kallman, Walter, Morizot & Kazianis, 2004.
• Xiphophorus multilineatus Rauchenberger, Kallman & Morizot, 1990.
• Mountain swordtail, Xiphophorus nezahualcoyotl Rauchenberger, Kallman & Morizot, 1990.
• Panuco swordtail, Xiphophorus nigrensis Rosen, 1960.
• Pygmy swordtail, Xiphophorus pygmaeus Hubbs & Gordon, 1943.
• Xiphophorus roseni Meyer & Wischnath, 1981.
• Xiphophorus signum Rosen & Kallman, 1969.
• Variable platyfish, Xiphophorus variatus (Meek, 1904).
• Swordtail platyfish, Xiphophorus xiphidium (Gordon, 1932).

[edit] References

• "Xiphophorus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. October 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.
• Xiphophorus (TSN 165919). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 9 December 2004.

[edit] External links

• xiphophorus.org
• Platy