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| − | {{Taxobox_begin | color = pink | name = Green Swordtail}}<br />{{StatusSecure}}
| + | '''Poecilia sphenops''' is a species of fish, of the genus [[Poecilia]], known under the Common Name '''Molly'''. They inhabit the coastal brackish and marine waters of Mexico. |
| − | {{Taxobox_image | image = [[Image:Xiphophorus helleri 01.jpg|250px|Green swordtail]] | caption = }}
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| − | {{Taxobox_begin_placement | color = pink}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_regnum_entry | taxon = [[Animal]]ia}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_phylum_entry | taxon = [[Chordate|Chordata]]}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_classis_entry | taxon = [[Actinopterygii]]}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_ordo_entry | taxon = [[Cyprinodontiformes]]}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_familia_entry | taxon = [[Poeciliidae]]}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_genus_entry | taxon = ''[[Xiphophorus]]''}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_species_entry | taxon = '''''X. hellerii'''''}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_end_placement}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_section_binomial | color = pink | binomial_name = Xiphophorus hellerii | author = [[Heckel (taxonomy)|Heckel]] | date = [[1848]]}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_end}}
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| − | :''For the genus of butterflies commonly known as swordtails, see [[Graphium]].''
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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]]. 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]].
| + | This species is the ancestor of the Black Molly, a [[melanism|melanistic]] breed which is black all over. It is one of the most well-known aquarium fishes and nearly as easy to keep and prolific as guppies (for optimal health and breeding success, they demand fresh vegetable food like algae). There are several other popular breeds, like the golden molly nicknamed "24 [[karat]]", or the balloon molly, which however has a deformed spine and a decreased lifespan due to the associated health problems. Also, breeds with altered dorsal fin structures like lyretails exist. The wild form is in fact quite rarely kept, as it has a rather plain silvery coloration suffused with brown and green hues. If given good care with ample sunlight, high water temperatures and fresh vegetables, they will, however, prove charming fish who make up for their somewhat plain coloration with their lively behavior. |
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| − | [[Image:Xiphophorus helleri 02.jpg|thumb|left|Wild form of ''X. hellerii.'']]
| + | The common molly can produce fertile hybrids with many ''Poecilia'' species, most importantly the [[Sailfin Moll]]. In the case of black hybrids, they are called Midnight Molly. These are very popular due to their impressive dorsal fins, but require a bit more attention and have a somewhat decreased lifespan. |
| − | The male green swordtail grows to a maximum overall length of 14 [[cm]] (5.5 [[inch|in]]) and the female to 16 [[cm]] (6.3 [[inch|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 patters thereof, for the aquarium hobby.
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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 [[worm]]s.
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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]]. | |
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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.
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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.
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| − | <br style="clear: left" />
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| − | == References ==
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| − | * {{FishBase_species|genus=Xiphophorus|species=hellerii|year=2004|month=October}}
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| − | * {{ITIS|taxon=Xiphophorus hellerii|ID=647013|year=2004|date=9 December}}
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| | + | {{fish-stub}} |
| | [[Category:Live-bearers]] | | [[Category:Live-bearers]] |
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| − | [[de:Schwertträger]] | + | [[de:Spitzmaulkärpfling]] |
| − | [[fr:xipho]] | + | [[fr:Molly]] |
| − | [[nl:Zwaarddrager]]
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| − | [[ja:ソードテール]]
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| − | [[pl:Mieczyk Hellera]]
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| − | [[zh:红剑鱼]]
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Poecilia sphenops is a species of fish, of the genus Poecilia, known under the Common Name Molly. They inhabit the coastal brackish and marine waters of Mexico.
This species is the ancestor of the Black Molly, a melanistic breed which is black all over. It is one of the most well-known aquarium fishes and nearly as easy to keep and prolific as guppies (for optimal health and breeding success, they demand fresh vegetable food like algae). There are several other popular breeds, like the golden molly nicknamed "24 karat", or the balloon molly, which however has a deformed spine and a decreased lifespan due to the associated health problems. Also, breeds with altered dorsal fin structures like lyretails exist. The wild form is in fact quite rarely kept, as it has a rather plain silvery coloration suffused with brown and green hues. If given good care with ample sunlight, high water temperatures and fresh vegetables, they will, however, prove charming fish who make up for their somewhat plain coloration with their lively behavior.
The common molly can produce fertile hybrids with many Poecilia species, most importantly the Sailfin Moll. In the case of black hybrids, they are called Midnight Molly. These are very popular due to their impressive dorsal fins, but require a bit more attention and have a somewhat decreased lifespan.
Template:Fish-stub
de:Spitzmaulkärpfling
fr:Molly
