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'''Fishkeeping''' is a popular [[hobby]] concerned with keeping [[fish]] in the home [[aquarium]] or garden [[pond]].
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{{Taxobox
[[image:aquarium3.jpg|thumb|200px|A freshwater aquarium.]]
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| color = pink
== Types of fishkeeping ==
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| name = Green Swordtail
 
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| status = {{StatusSecure}}
The hobby can be broadly divided into three specific disciplines, [[freshwater]], [[brackish water|brackish]], and [[sea|marine]] (also called saltwater) fishkeeping. '''Freshwater fishkeeping''' is by far the most popular branch of the hobby, with even small pet stores often selling a variety of freshwater fish, such as [[goldfish]], [[guppy|guppies]], and [[freshwater angelfish|angelfish]]. While most freshwater aquaria are set up as [[community tank|'''community tanks''']] containing a variety of peaceful species, many aquarists keep single-species aquaria with a view to breeding. [[Live-bearing aquarium fish|Livebearing]] fish such as mollies and guppies are among the species that are most easily raised in captivity, but aquarists also regularly breed numerous other species, including many types of [[cichlid]], [[catfish]], [[characin]], and [[killifish]].
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| image = Xiphophorus_helleri_02.jpg
 
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| image_width = 250px
'''[[Marine aquarium|Marine aquaria]]''' are generally more difficult to maintain and the livestock is significantly more expensive, and as a result this branch of the hobby tends to attract more experienced fishkeepers. However, marine aquaria can be exceedingly beautiful, due to the attractive colours and shapes of the [[corals]] and [[coral reef]] fish kept in them. Temperate zone marine fish are not as commonly kept in home aquaria, primarily because they do not do well at room temperature. An aquarium containing these coldwater species usually needs to be either located in a cool room (such as an unheated basement) or else chilled using a [[refrigeration]] device known as a 'chiller'.
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| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
 
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| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
'''[[Brackish water aquarium|Brackish water aquaria]]''' combine elements of both marine and freshwater fishkeeping, reflecting the fact that these aquaria contain water with a salinity in between that of freshwater and seawater. Fish kept in brackish water aquaria come from habitats with varying salinity, such as [[mangroves]] and [[estuaries]] and do not do well if permanently kept in freshwater aquaria. Although brackish water aquaria are not overly familiar to newcomers to the hobby, a surprising number of species prefer brackish water conditions, including the [[Poecilia|mollies]], many  [[gobies]], some [[pufferfish]], [[Monodactylidae|monos]], [[Scatophagidae|scats]], and virtually all the [[Soleidae|freshwater soles]].
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| classis = [[Actinopterygii]]
 
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| ordo = [[Cyprinodontiformes]]
Fishkeepers are often known as '''aquarists''', since many of them are not solely interested in keeping fish. Many fishkeepers create freshwater aquaria where the focus is on the [[aquatic plants]] rather than on the fish. This is known as the 'Dutch Aquarium' in some circles, in reference to the pioneering work carried out by European aquarists in designing these sorts of aquaria. In recent years, one of the most active advocates of the heavily planted aquarium is the Japanese aquarist [[Takashi Amano]]. Marine aquarists often attempt to recreate the coral reef in their aquaria using large quantities of [[Live rock|living rock]], porous calcareous rocks encrusted with algae, sponges, worms, and other small marine organisms. Larger corals as well as shrimps, crabs, echinoderms, and mollusks are added later on, once the aquarium has matured, as well as a variety of small fish. Such aquaria are sometimes called '[[reef tank]]s'.
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| familia = [[Poeciliidae]]
 
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| genus = ''[[Xiphophorus]]''
Garden ponds are in some ways similar to freshwater aquaria, but are usually much larger and exposed to the ambient climatic conditions. In the tropics, tropical fish can be kept in garden ponds, but in the cooler regions [[temperate zone]] species such as goldfish, [[koi]], and [[orfe]] are kept instead.
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| species = '''''X. hellerii'''''
 
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| binomial = ''Xiphophorus hellerii''
== The origins of fishkeeping ==
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| binomial_authority = [[Heckel (taxonomy)|Heckel]], [[1848]]
Fish have been raised as food in pools and ponds for thousands of years. In Medieval Europe, [[carp]] pools were a standard feature of estates and monasteries, providing an alternative to meat on [[Calendar of saints|feast days]] when meat could not be eaten for religious reasons. Similarly, throughout Asia there is a long history of stocking [[rice paddies]] with freshwater fish suitable for eating, including various types of catfish and cyprinid. Particularly brightly coloured or tame specimens of fish in these pools have sometimes been valued as pets rather than food, and some of these have given rise to completely domesticated varieties, most notably the goldfish and the koi carp, which have their origins in China and Japan respectively.
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}}
 
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:''For the genus of butterflies commonly known as swordtails, see [[Graphium]].''
Marine fish have been similarly valued for centuries, and many wealthy [[ancient Rome|Romans]] kept [[lamprey]]s and other fish in salt water pools. [[Cicero]] reports that the [[advocate]] [[Hortensius|Quintus Hortensius]] wept when a favoured specimen died, while [[Tertullian]] reports that Asinius Celer paid 8000 [[sesterces]] for a particularly fine [[Mullet (fish)|mullet]].<ref name="BBC">[http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/romanway.shtml The Roman Way, lll - Filling the day] ([[BBC Radio 4]], 5 March 2007)</ref> Cicero, rather cynically, referred to these ancient fishkeepers as the [[Piscinarii]], the "fish-pond owners" or "fish breeders", for example when saying that ''...the rich (I mean your friends the fish-breeders) did not disguise their jealousy of me''.<ref>Cicero, Letters to Atticus ([[Epistulae ad Atticum]]) [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Author:Marcus_Tullius_Cicero/Letters/XXIII 1.18]</ref><ref>Cicero, Letters to Atticus ([[Epistulae ad Atticum]]) [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Author:Marcus_Tullius_Cicero/Letters/XXIV 1.19]</ref><ref>Cicero, Letters to Atticus ([[Epistulae ad Atticum]]) [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Author:Marcus_Tullius_Cicero/Letters/XXIII 1.20]</ref>
 
 
 
== Modern fishkeeping ==
 
Although some tropical fish were kept in gas-heated tanks in [[Victorian times]], tropical fishkeeping only really became popular in the 1930s when devices like electric heaters and inexpensive glass aquaria became available. Air transportation has also made it possible for fish to be imported from many parts of the world rapidly and inexpensively. As a result, aquarists are routinely offered large numbers of freshwater fish collected from South America, South East Asia, and East Africa. However, the majority of freshwater fish sold to aquarists are commercially bred, primarily in South East Asia and Florida.
 
 
 
Marine fish are not easily bred in captivity, and only a few species, most notably [[seahorses]] and [[clownfish]] are farm-raised. Most are collected from coral reefs, in particular from South East Asia, the Red Sea, and the Caribbean.
 
 
 
==The Fishkeeping Industry==
 
Worldwide, the fishkeeping hobby is a multi-million dollar industry, and the [[United States]] is considered the largest market in the world, followed by [[Europe]] and [[Japan]].  In [[1994]], 56% of U.S. households had pets, and 10.6% owned ornamental freshwater or saltwater fish, with an average of 8.8 fish per household. In [[1993]], the retail value of the fish hobby in the United States was [[USD|$]]910 million.
 
 
 
From [[1989]] to [[1992]], almost 79% of all U.S. ornamental fish imports arrived from [[Southeast Asia]] and Japan.  [[Singapore]], [[Thailand]], the [[Philippines]], [[Hong Kong]], and [[Indonesia]] were the top five exporting nations. [[South America]] was the second largest exporting region, accounting for 14% of the total annual value.  [[Colombia]], [[Brazil]], and [[Peru]] were the major suppliers.  The remaining 7% of ornamental fish imports came from other regions of the world.
 
 
 
Approximately 201 million fish worth $44.7 million were imported into the United States in 1992. These fish comprised 1,539 different [[species]]; 730 [[freshwater]] species, and 809 [[Seawater|saltwater]] species. The freshwater fish accounted for approximately 96% of the total volume and 80% of the total import value.  Of the total of all trade, only 32 species had import values over $10,000. These top species were all of freshwater origin and accounted for 58% of the total imported value of the fish. The top imported species are the [[guppy]], [[neon tetra]], [[Southern platyfish|platy]], [[betta]], [[Gyrinocheilus|Chinese algae eater]], and [[goldfish]].
 
 
 
Several large companies are focused primarily or extensively on supplying the fishkeeping hobby, producing products such as fish food, medicine, and aquarium hardware. Among the largest of these are [[Eheim]], [[Tetra Company|Tetra]], [[Sera (company)|Sera]], all based in Germany; [[Hikari flake|Hikari]], a Japanese company; [[Fluval]], part of the Canadian [[Rolf C. Hagen]] group; [[Interpet]], a British company that also owns the Red Sea brand; and the American company [[Aquarian (Waltham brand)|Aquarian]], owned by [[Mars, Incorporated]] but usually trading under the Waltham pet foods brand.
 
 
 
== Fish breeding ==
 
[[Image:DiskuslaichaS.jpg|thumb|A fish with eggs.]]
 
 
 
Fish breeding is a challenge that many aquarists find attractive. While some species reproduce freely in community tanks, most require special conditions, known as [[spawning triggers]] before they will breed. The majority of fish lay eggs, known as [[spawning]], and the juvenile fish that emerge are very small and need tiny live foods or their substitutes to survive. A fair number of popular aquarium fish are [[livebearers]], and these fish produce a small number of relatively large offspring, and these will usually take ground flake food straight away (see article on [[Live-bearing aquarium fish|live-bearing aquarium fish]]).
 
 
 
== Conservation and science ==
 
Studies by the [[United Nations]] have shown that while more than 90% of the freshwater aquarium fish traded are captive bred, virtually all marine aquarium fish and invertebrates are caught from the wild.  The few marine species bred in captivity supplement but rarely replace the trade in wild-caught specimens. [http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=/docrep/005/x4933e/X4933e10.htm] [http://www.unep.org/PDF/From_Ocean_To_Aquarium_report.pdf] Fish and invertebrates that are collected from the wild can provide a valuable source of income for people in regions where other high-value [[exports]] are lacking [http://www.wetwebmedia.com/AqBizSubWebIndex/marlifeuse.htm]. However, catching fish in the wild can potentially reduce their population sizes, placing them in danger of extinction in the areas where the fish are collected, as has been observed with the [[dragonet]] ''[[Synchiropus splendidus]]''. [http://www.unep.org/PDF/From_Ocean_To_Aquarium_report.pdf]
 
 
 
In theory, wild fish should be a good example of a [[renewable resource]] that places value on maintaining the integrity and diversity of the natural habitat: more and better fish can be exported from clean, pristine aquatic habitat than one that has been polluted or otherwise degraded.  However, this has not been the case with industries such as [[Trapping (Animal)|fur trapping]], [[logging]], or [[Fishing industry|fishing]] where a similar situation existed. Historically, wild resources have tended to be over-exploited rather than managed (see [[Tragedy of the commons|Tragedy of the Commons]]). Moreover, in places where collecting for aquaria is very intensive, there is good evidence that collecting can result in a decline in fish populations. A particular notorious example is to be found on the [[Philippines]], where overfishing and the widespread use of [[cyanide]] to stun the fish has caused a drastic decline in the diversity of the coral reef fish considered most desirable by aquarists [http://www.panda.org/news_facts/newsroom/features/news.cfm?uNewsID=5563].
 
 
 
On the other hand, breeding programs by aquarists have helped to preserve species that have become rare or extinct in the wild, most notably among the [[Lake Victoria]] cichlids. Some species of aquarium fish have also become important as laboratory animals, with cichlids and [[Poecilia|poecilids]] being especially important for studies on learning, mating, and social behaviour. Aquarists also observe a large number of fishes not otherwise studied, and thereby provide valuable data on the ecology and behaviour of many species.
 
 
 
== Animal Welfare ==
 
At its best, a properly maintained aquarium allows the fish to socialise with their own kind and in many cases breed successfully. This is in marked contrast to the conditions enjoyed by larger animals like [[cats]] and [[dog]]s, which are often kept alone and [[spay|neutered]], and thus unable to experience anything like a natural lifestyle. However, in many cases fish are maintained in the wrong conditions and therefore live short lives and never breed. Inexperienced aquarists often attempt to keep too many fish in their tanks, or introduce too many fish into an immature aquarium, with the result that large numbers of fish sicken and die. This has given the hobby a bad reputation among some animal welfare groups, such as [[PETA]], for treating aquarium fish as nothing more than cheap toys that are simply replaced when they die [http://www.peta.org/factsheet/files/FactsheetDisplay.asp?ID=30].
 
 
 
Marine fish in particular tend to be less resilient during transportation than freshwater fish, and relatively large numbers of them die before they are finally sold to the aquarist. Although the trade in marine fish and corals for aquaria probably represents a minor threat to coral reefs when compared with habitat destruction, fishing for food, and climate change, it is a booming trade and may be a serious problem in specific locations such as the Philippines and Indonesia where most of the collecting is done [http://www.ofish.org/data-area.asp?aid=9823&gid=4838],  [http://www.aaas.org/international/africa/coralreefs/index.shtml].
 
 
 
Goldfish and [[Siamese fighting fish|bettas]] in particular have often been kept in cramped bowls or aquaria that are really far too small for their needs [http://www.peta.org/feat/aquab/]. In some cases fish have been installed in all sorts of inappropriate objects such as the '''AquaBabies Micro Aquaria''', '''Bubble Gear Bubble Bag''' and '''Betta in a Vase''', all of which contain live fish housed in unfiltered and entirely too small quantities of water [http://boeing_dude.tripod.com/id27.htm], [http://www.peta.org/feat/aquab/wycd.html]. The '''Betta in a Vase''' is sometimes marketed as a complete ecosystem if a plant is included in the neck of the vase, some sellers claiming the fish will eat the roots of the plant. However, [[betta]]s are [[carnivorous]] and need to be fed live food or pellet foods as they cannot survive on plant roots. Another problem is that the plant sometimes blocks the betta's passage to the water surface; they are [[labyrinth fish]]es, and need to be able to take breaths at the surface of the water or else they will die from suffocation.  These types of products are not really aimed at aquarists but rather at people looking for a novelty gift, and in fact most aquarists abhor them. Similarly, the awarding of goldfish as prizes at [[funfair]]s is traditional in many parts of the world, but has been criticised by aquarists and animal welfare charities alike as cruel and irresponsible, and giving away live-animal prizes such as goldfish was made illegal in the UK in 2004 [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3893889.stm].
 
  
== Controversy ==
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The '''Green swordtail''' (''Xiphophorus hellerii'') is a [[species]] of [[freshwater]] [[fish]] in [[family (biology)|family]] [[Poecilidae]] of [[order (biology)|order]] [[Cyprinodontiformes]]. It is also called '''Red swordtail'''. A [[live-bearing aquarium fish|live-bearer]], it is closely related to the [[southern platyfish]] or "platy" (''X. maculatus'') and can interbreed with it.  It is native to an area of [[North America|North]] and [[Central America]] stretching from [[Veracruz]], [[Mexico]], to northwestern [[Honduras]].
Modifying fish to make them more attractive as pets is an increasingly divisive issue. Historically, artificially dyeing fish was fairly common, with [[Ambassidae|glassfish]] for example being injected with fluorescent dyes. The major British fishkeeping magazine, [[Practical Fishkeeping]], has been effective in its campaign to remove these fish from the market by educating retailers and aquarists to the cruelty and health risks involved [http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=72].  
 
  
In 2006, [[Practical Fishkeeping]] published an article exposing the techniques for performing [[cosmetic surgery]] on aquarium fish, without anaesthesia, as described by [[Singapore|Singaporean]] fishkeeping magazine ''Fish Love Magazine''. The tail is cut off and dye is injected into the body to make the fish more valuable [http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=957]. The piece also included the first documented evidence to demonstrate that [[blood parrot cichlid|parrot cichlids]] are dyed through injections of coloured dye. [[Practical Fishkeeping]] also reported in 2006 that suppliers in Hong Kong were offering a service in which fish could be tattooed with company logos or messages using a [[dye laser]] [http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=850]. Such fishes have been sold in the UK under the name of Kaleidoscope gourami and Striped parrot cichlid.  
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[[Image:Swordtail cultivar.JPG|thumb|left|Cultivated form of ''X. hellerii.'']]
 +
The male green swordtail grows to a maximum overall length of 14cm (5.5in) and the female to 16 cm (6.3 in).
 +
The name "swordtail" derives form the elongated lower lobe of the male's [[caudal fin]] (tailfin). [[Sexual dimorphism]] is moderate, with the female being larger than the male but lacking the "sword". The wild form is olive green in color, with a red or brown lateral stripe and speckles on the [[dorsal fin|dorsal]] and, sometimes, caudal fins. The male's "sword" is yellow, edged in black below. Captive breeding has produced many color varieties, including black, red, and many patterns thereof, for the aquarium hobby.
  
Hybrid fish such as [[flowerhorn|flowerhorn cichlids]] and [[blood parrot cichlid|parrot cichlids]] are highly controversial. Parrot cichlids in particular have a very unnatural shape that prevents them from swimming properly and makes it difficult for them to engage in their normal feeding and social behaviours. The biggest concern with hybrids is that they may be bred back with true species, making it difficult for hobbyists to identify and breed particular species. This is especially important where hobbyists are conserving species that are rare or extinct in the wild [http://www.sydneycichlid.com/content/?page_id=11]. Even within a single species, extreme mutations have been selected for by some breeders; some of the fancy [[goldfish]] varieties in particular have been criticised for having features that prevent the fish from swimming, seeing, or feeding properly. Genetically modified fish like the [[glofish]] are likely to become increasingly available as well, particularly in the United States [http://www.glofish.com/], [http://www.ofish.org/data-area.asp?aid=9820&gid=4839].
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The green swordtail prefers swift-flowing, heavily-vegetated rivers and streams, but is also found in warm springs and canals. Omnivorous, its diet includes both plants and small [[crustacean]]s, [[insect]]s, and [[annelid]] worms.
  
[[Media:Example.ogg]]
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''X. hellerii'' has become a nuisance pest as an [[introduced species]] in a number of countries. It has caused ecological damage because of its ability to rapidly reproduce in high numbers.  Feral populations have established themselves in southern [[Africa]], including [[KwaZulu-Natal Province|Natal]] and eastern [[Transvaal]] in [[South Africa]] and [[Lake Otjikoto]] in [[Namibia]].
== Headline text ==
 
  
== Headline text ==
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One of the most popular [[tropical]] [[aquarium]] fish, the green swordtail has been bred into various hybrid forms for the aquarium hobby due to its hardiness and suitability for community tanks.
  
== Headline text ==
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The green swordtail, as the most common of the swordtail species (and in recognition of the fact that many captive-bred color varieties are not green), is typically known simply as the '''swordtail''' in the aquarium hobby.  It is often designated ''X. helleri'' (with one ''i''), but authorities consider this an orthographic error and the spelling with two ''i''s is the valid specific epithet. Due to interbreeding with the [[southern platyfish]] or "platy" most "swordtail" in the aquarium are hybrids to some degree.
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</gallery>== Invasive Species ==
 
Serious problems can occur when fish originally kept in ponds or [[aquaria]] are released into the wild. While [[tropical zone|tropical]] species of fish will not live for long in [[temperate zone]] climates, fish released into places with similar climatic conditions to those that they originally came from can survive and potentially form viable populations. Species that have established themselves in places that they are not native to are called [[exotic species]]. Examples of exotic fishes that have become established outside their normal range are the various species of [[cichlids]] in Florida, [[goldfish]] in temperate waters, and South American [[Loricariidae|suckermouth catfish]]es in warm waters around the world. Some of these exotic species can become extremely disruptive preying on, or competing with, the native fish (see [[invasive species]]).
 
  
== References ==
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The males' elongated caudal fins have been found to significantly affect their chances at mating. The presence of a well-endowed male spurs the maturity of females while it inhibits the maturity of juvenile males in the vicinity as the well-endowed male.<ref name="YNscienceattraction">{{cite news | title =In the science of sexual attraction, size matters  | work =Yahoo! Science News | language =english | publisher =Yahoo! Inc | date =[[2007-02-13]] | url =http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070214/sc_nm/science_size_dc_1 | accessdate = 2007-02-14 }}</ref><ref name="LiveScience1">{{cite news | last =Choi | first =Charles Q. | title =Male Bling Makes Female Fish Mature Faster | work =LiveScience Animaldomain | publisher =Imaginova Corp. | date =[[2007-02-13]] | url =http://www.livescience.com/animalworld/070213_sight_sex.html | accessdate = 2007-02-14 }}</ref><ref name="YNLiveScience1">{{cite news | last =Choi | first =Charles Q. | title =Male Bling Makes Female Fish Mature Faster | work =Yahoo! Science News | publisher =Yahoo!, Inc. | date =[[2007-02-13]]
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  | url =http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20070214/sc_livescience/maleblingmakesfemalefishmaturefaster | accessdate = }}</ref>
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== Further reading ==
 
* ''Aquarium Atlas, vol. 1'', by [[Hans A. Baensch]] and [[Rudiger Riehl]]  ISBN 1-890087-12-2
 
* ''Brackish Water Fishes'', by [[Frank Schäfer]] ISBN 3-936027-82-X
 
* ''The Conscientious Marine Aquarist'', by [[Robert Fenner]] (2001) ISBN 1-890087-02-5
 
*{{cite journal
 
| author = Chapman, F.
 
| coauthors = Sharon A. Fitz-Coy, Eric M. Thunberg, and Charles M. Adams
 
| journal = Journal of the World Aquaculture Society
 
| title = United States of America Trade in Ornamental Fish
 
| volume = 28
 
| issue = 1
 
| month = March
 
| year = 1997
 
| pages = 1-10
 
}}
 
  
== See also ==
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== Bibliography ==
*[[Aquarium]]
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* {{FishBase_species|genus=Xiphophorus|species=hellerii|year=2004|month=October}}
*[[List of freshwater aquarium fish species]]
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* {{ITIS|taxon=Xiphophorus hellerii|ID=647013|year=2004|date=9 December}}
*[[List of marine aquarium fish species]]
 
*[[Fishcam]]
 
*[[Painted fish]]
 
  
{{Pet Species}}
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==References==
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{{reflist|2}}
  
[[Category:Fishkeeping| ]]
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==See Also==
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{{commons|Xiphophorus helleri}}
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[[Category:Live-bearing fish]]
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[[Category:Ovoviviparous fish]]
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[[Category:Introduced freshwater fish of New Zealand]]
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[[Category:Poeciliidae]]
  
[[de:Aquaristik]]
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[[es:Acuario;klo,l,jnkji,jinhg,fj4ut47y59745jfbdksgfks adgasdpopppooooopooooœfilia]]
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[[de:Schwertträger]]
[[fr:Aquariophilie]]
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[[fr:Xipho]]
[[gl:Acuariofilia]]
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[[it:Xiphophorus helleri]]
[[it:Acquariofilia]]
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[[nl:Zwaarddrager]]
[[oc:Aqüariofilia]]
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[[ja:ソードテール]]
[[pl:Akwarystyka]]
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[[pl:Mieczyk Hellera]]
[[pt:Aquarismo]]
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[[pt:Xiphophorus hellerii]]
[[sk:Akvaristika (koníček)]]
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[[ru:Зелёный меченосец]]
[[sv:Akvaristik]]
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[[fi:Miekkapyrstö]]
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[[sv:Svärdbärare]]
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[[tr:Kılıçkuyruk]]
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[[zh:劍尾魚]] CHUCK NORRIS WILL BEAT U UP!!

Revision as of 22:26, 25 March 2007

Template:Taxobox

For the genus of butterflies commonly known as swordtails, see Graphium.

The Green swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) is a species of freshwater fish in family Poecilidae of order Cyprinodontiformes. It is also called Red swordtail. A live-bearer, it is closely related to the southern platyfish or "platy" (X. maculatus) and can interbreed with it. It is native to an area of North and Central America stretching from Veracruz, Mexico, to northwestern Honduras.

Cultivated form of X. hellerii.

The male green swordtail grows to a maximum overall length of 14cm (5.5in) and the female to 16 cm (6.3 in). The name "swordtail" derives form the elongated lower lobe of the male's caudal fin (tailfin). Sexual dimorphism is moderate, with the female being larger than the male but lacking the "sword". The wild form is olive green in color, with a red or brown lateral stripe and speckles on the dorsal and, sometimes, caudal fins. The male's "sword" is yellow, edged in black below. Captive breeding has produced many color varieties, including black, red, and many patterns thereof, for the aquarium hobby.

The green swordtail prefers swift-flowing, heavily-vegetated rivers and streams, but is also found in warm springs and canals. Omnivorous, its diet includes both plants and small crustaceans, insects, and annelid worms.

X. hellerii has become a nuisance pest as an introduced species in a number of countries. It has caused ecological damage because of its ability to rapidly reproduce in high numbers. Feral populations have established themselves in southern Africa, including Natal and eastern Transvaal in South Africa and Lake Otjikoto in Namibia.

One of the most popular tropical aquarium fish, the green swordtail has been bred into various hybrid forms for the aquarium hobby due to its hardiness and suitability for community tanks.

The green swordtail, as the most common of the swordtail species (and in recognition of the fact that many captive-bred color varieties are not green), is typically known simply as the swordtail in the aquarium hobby. It is often designated X. helleri (with one i), but authorities consider this an orthographic error and the spelling with two is is the valid specific epithet. Due to interbreeding with the southern platyfish or "platy" most "swordtail" in the aquarium are hybrids to some degree.

The males' elongated caudal fins have been found to significantly affect their chances at mating. The presence of a well-endowed male spurs the maturity of females while it inhibits the maturity of juvenile males in the vicinity as the well-endowed male.&&&

Bibliography

References

See Also

Template:Commons

da:Sværddrager de:Schwertträger fr:Xipho it:Xiphophorus helleri nl:Zwaarddrager ja:ソードテール pl:Mieczyk Hellera pt:Xiphophorus hellerii ru:Зелёный меченосец fi:Miekkapyrstö sv:Svärdbärare tr:Kılıçkuyruk zh:劍尾魚 CHUCK NORRIS WILL BEAT U UP!!