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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.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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| − | 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]].
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| − | [[Image:Xiphophorus_helleri_2_rev.jpg|thumb|left|Wild form of ''X. hellerii.'']]
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| − | 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]]).
| + | [[fr:Molly]] |
| − | 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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| − | == 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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| − | [[Category:Live-bearers]]
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| − | [[de:Schwertträger]]
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| − | [[fr:xipho]] | |
| − | [[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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