Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Fishes/Answer Key"
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:''For the genus of butterflies commonly known as swordtails, see [[Graphium]].'' | :''For the genus of butterflies commonly known as swordtails, see [[Graphium]].'' | ||
| − | 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]]. | + | 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]]. The green swordtail is the most common of the swordtail species. |
[[Image:Swordtail cultivar.JPG|thumb|left|Cultivated form of ''X. hellerii.'']] | [[Image:Swordtail cultivar.JPG|thumb|left|Cultivated form of ''X. hellerii.'']] | ||
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In the wild, the green swordtail prefers swift-flowing, heavily-vegetated rivers and streams, but is also found in warm springs and canals. When kept in captivity, the swordtail enjoys a planted, 20 gallon+ aquarium. It is a communtiy fish, and can be kept with many other freshwater fish. Omnivorous, its diet includes both plants and small [[crustacean]]s, [[insect]]s, and [[annelid]] worms. | In the wild, the green swordtail prefers swift-flowing, heavily-vegetated rivers and streams, but is also found in warm springs and canals. When kept in captivity, the swordtail enjoys a planted, 20 gallon+ aquarium. It is a communtiy fish, and can be kept with many other freshwater fish. Omnivorous, its diet includes both plants and small [[crustacean]]s, [[insect]]s, and [[annelid]] worms. | ||
| − | One of the most popular [[tropical]] [[aquarium]] fish, the | + | One of the most popular [[tropical]] [[aquarium]] fish, the swordtail has been bred into various hybrid forms for the aquarium hobby due to its hardiness and suitability for community tanks. |
| − | The green swordtail | + | The green swordtail, 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. |
This fish is great for begginer aqarists, and will breed readily in a community tank. | This fish is great for begginer aqarists, and will breed readily in a community tank. | ||
Revision as of 14:09, 7 July 2006
- 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. 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. The green swordtail is the most common of the swordtail species.
The male green swordtail grows to a maximum overall length of 14 cm (5.5 in) and the female to 16 cm (6.3 in),although when kept in a freshwater aquarium, they will not grow over 5 inches. 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.
In the wild, the green swordtail prefers swift-flowing, heavily-vegetated rivers and streams, but is also found in warm springs and canals. When kept in captivity, the swordtail enjoys a planted, 20 gallon+ aquarium. It is a communtiy fish, and can be kept with many other freshwater fish. Omnivorous, its diet includes both plants and small crustaceans, insects, and annelid worms.
One of the most popular tropical aquarium fish, the swordtail has been bred into various hybrid forms for the aquarium hobby due to its hardiness and suitability for community tanks.
The green swordtail, 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.
This fish is great for begginer aqarists, and will breed readily in a community tank.
References
da:Sværddrager de:Schwertträger fr:Xipho nl:Zwaarddrager ja:ソードテール pl:Mieczyk Hellera ru:Зелёный меченосец fi:Miekkapyrstö sv:Svärdbärare zh:红剑鱼
