Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Fishes/Answer Key"

Revision as of 20:07, 16 December 2007

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. The wild-type fish are a dull silvery color, often sprinkled black all over.

This species is one of the ancestors of the black mollies, a number of melanistic breeds which are 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 caudal 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 molly. 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 - though certainly not as much as the deformed breeds.

The male black mollies generally tend to be aggressive. Although they are compatible tankmates with fish like the tiger barbs, they will attack them.

Gallery of breeds

Female and (upper left) male silver molly
Artist's image of male double swordtail black molly. Note rather small dorsal fin.
Male gold mollies look very similar to some variable platyfish
Gravid female marble molly

References

Template:Commons

Template:Cyprinodontiformes-stub

de:Spitzmaulkärpfling fr:Molly (poisson) it:Poecilia sphenops nl:Black molly no:Molly oc:Molly pl:Molinezja ostrousta fi:Mustamolli sv:Black Molly (fisk) uk:Молінезія

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 {{Taxobox
-| image = Elacatinus evelynae.jpg
+| color = green
-| image_caption = ''Elacatinus evelynae''
+| name = ''Poecilia sphenops''
-| image_width = 250px
+| image = Molinezje black molly.JPG
-| status = LC
+| image_caption = ''Poecilia sphenops''-type black mollies
-| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
+| regnum = [[Animalia]]
 | phylum = [[Chordata]]
-| classis = [[Perciformes]]
+| classis = [[Actinopterygii]]
-| ordo = [[Perciformes]]
+| ordo = [[Cyprinodontiformes]]
-| familia = [[Gobiidae]]
+| familia = [[Poeciliidae]]
-| genus = '''''Elacatinus'''''
+| genus = ''[[Poecilia]]''
-| genus_authority = [[David Starr Jordan|Jordan]], 1904
+| species = '''''P. sphenops'''''
-| subdivision_ranks = Species
+| binomial = ''Poecilia sphenops''
-| subdivision = see text
+| binomial_authority = ([[Achille_Valenciennes|Valenciennes]], [[1846]])
 }}
-'''''Elacatinus''''' (formerly '''''Gobisoma''''') is a genus of marine [[Goby|gobies]], often known collectively as the '''neon gobies'''. Although only one species, ''E. oceanops'', is technically the "neon goby," because of their extremely similar appearance other members of the genus are generally labeled neon gobies as well.
+'''''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. The wild-type fish are a dull silvery color, often sprinkled black all over.
-==Description==
+This species is one of the ancestors of the '''black mollies''', a number of [[melanism|melanistic]] breeds which are 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 [[Carat (purity)|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 caudal 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.
-Neon gobies are very small, [[torpedo]]-shaped fish. Although sizes vary slightly by species, they are generally about 2.5&nbsp;cm (1&nbsp;inch) long.<ref>E. oceanops, Fishbase. http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=3876</ref> They have dark bodies with iridescent stripes (the color of which varies by species) running from the tip of the nose to the base of the [[caudal fin]]. Like all gobies, their dorsal fin is split in two, the anterior [[dorsal fin]] being rounded like that of a [[clownfish]] and the posterior dorsal fin being relatively flat. The [[anal fin]] lines up with the posterior dorsal fin and is of similar shape. The [[pectoral fin]]s are nearly circular, and, like all other fins, transparent.
-==Ecology==
+The common molly can produce fertile hybrids with many ''Poecilia'' species, most importantly the [[sailfin molly]]. In the case of black hybrids, they are called midnight molly. These are very popular due to their impressive [[dorsal fin]]s, but require a bit more attention and have a somewhat decreased lifespan - though certainly not as much as the deformed breeds.
-Neon gobies are native to the tropical reefs of the [[Gulf of Mexico]], from [[Texas]] to [[Belize]],<ref>Elacatinus Range, Fishbase. http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountryList.cfm?ID=3876&GenusName=Elacatinus&SpeciesName=oceanops</ref> where they live primarily in the rocks. They are well-documented cleaner fish, setting up stations where often much larger fish (sometimes even fish who would normally eat the gobies) come to have the gobies eat their small external parasites.<ref>Neon Goby Cleaner Fish Behavior. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=1968&articleid=2715</ref> This is an excellent example of [[symbiosis]] – the cleaned fish are healthier and the gobies have not only an excellent food source but also relative protection from potential predators.
-==In the aquarium==
+The male black mollies generally tend to be aggressive. Although they are compatible tankmates with fish like the tiger barbs, they will attack them.
-Members of the genus ''Elacatinus'', particularly ''E. oceanops'', are among the most popular marine aquarium inhabitants.
-Several species of neon goby are readily available because of successful captive breeding programs, although scientific names are not always given. Generally, if the specimen has a blue stripe, it can be identified as ''E. oceanops'', and if the stripe is half-blue half-gold, as ''E. evelynae''. Various species are offered as "Gold Neon Gobies".
+==Gallery of breeds==
+<gallery>
+Image:SilverMolly.jpg|Female and (upper left) male silver molly
+Image:Black molly.jpg|Artist's image of male double swordtail black molly. Note rather small [[dorsal fin]].
+Image:Gold Molly 1.jpg|Male gold mollies look very similar to some [[variable platyfish]]
+Image:Mamor Molly 1.jpg|[[Gravid]] female marble molly
+</gallery>
-Neon gobies are not difficult to keep, and accept a wide variety of water parameters. Specific gravity is not critical, so long as it remains steady. As with all marine aquarium fish, they are sensitive to even trace amounts of [[ammonia]] or [[nitrite]] in an aquarium. Small amounts of nitrate are acceptable, but if over the long term these amounts increase this can cause problems. Neon gobies are tolerant of a broad range of temperatures, but they are tropical so a heater may be necessary to maintain a temperature of at least 25°C (78°F) year round. Other parameters, such as [[alkalinity]] only become a problem if they are extreme.
+==References==
+* {{ITIS|ID=165904|taxon=Poecilia sphenops|year=2006|date=30 January}}
+* {{FishBase_species|genus=Poecilia|species=sphenops|year=2005|month=10}}
-Because of their small size, neon gobies are excellent Nano Reef inhabitants, and can live in tanks as small as five gallons, but a ten gallon or larger tank is more appropriate for best health (and ease of care). In larger tanks they can be kept in groups. Neon gobies are suitable for all types of marine aquariums, with the exception of those which contain large predatory fish or invertebrates which might attempt to eat the gobies. They need plenty of hiding places, and they make excellent reef inhabitants. They are not picky eaters, and will accept any and all frozen or live foods. They can also be easily trained to take flake or pellet foods, but a variety of frozen, freeze dried, and live foods to supplement a prepared staple is the best feeding routine. They are sometimes shy eaters and may be out-competed for food by more boisterous and aggressive feeders.
-If kept in pristine conditions and fed well neon gobies will readily spawn in home aquaria. A species or breeding tank is required, as the fry are small and will be eaten by most other fish. The gobies are [[sexually dimorphic]], but the difference is not easy to ascertain so they are normally kept in large groups to ensure a balance of sexes. They will lay their eggs on any hard surface along the bottom, and the fry, which feed on small rotifers or other microscopic organisms, are fully developed within a month. The average lifespan for a neon goby is approximately a year to a year and a half.<ref>Fenner, Robert M. ''The Conscientious Marine Aquarist''. Neptune City, NJ, USA: T.F.H. Publications, 2001.</ref>
+{{Commons|Poecilia sphenops|Black Molly}}
-==Species==
+[[Category:Live-bearing fish]]
-*'' '''E. atronasus''' '' <br>
+[[Category:Ovoviviparous fish]]
-[[Image:Elacatinus atronasum.JPG|250px]]
+[[Category:Poeciliidae]]
-*'' '''E. chancei''' '' <br>
-[[Image:Elacatinus chancei.JPG|250px]]
-*'' '''E. evelynae''' '' <br>
-[[Image:Elacatinus evelinae.JPG|250px]]
-*'''''E. figaro''''' <br>
-[[Image:Elacatinus figaro.JPG|250px]]
-*'''''E. genie''''' <br>
-[[Image:Elacatinus genie.JPG|250px]]
-*'''''E. horsti''''' <br>
-[[Image:Elacatinus horsti.JPG|250px]]
-*'''''E. illecebrosum'''''<br>
-[[Image:Elacatinus illecebrosum.JPG|250px]]
-*'''''E. jarocho''''' <br>
-[[Image:Elacatinus jarocho.JPG|250px]]
-*'''''E. lori''''' <br>
-[[Image:Elacatinus lori.JPG|250px]]
-*'''''E. louisae''''' <br>
-[[Image:Elacatinus louisae.JPG|250px]]
-*'''''E. oceanops''''' <br>
-[[Image:Elacatinus oceanops.JPG|250px]]
-*'''''E. pridisi''''' <br>
-[[Image:Elacatinus pridisi.JPG|250px]]
-*'''''E. prochilos''''' <br>
-[[Image:Elacatinus prochilos.JPG|250px]]
-*'''''E. randalli''''' <br>
-[[Image:Elacatinus randalli.JPG|250px]]
-*'''''E. tenox''''' <br>
-[[Image:Elacatinus tenox.JPG|250px]]
-*'''''E. xanthiprora''''' <br>
-[[Image:Elacatinus xanthiprora.JPG|250px]]
-==See also==
-{{Marine Life Portal}}
-*[[Goby]]
-==References==
-{{commonscat}}
-{{Wikispecies}}
-{{Reflist}}
-[[Category:Gobiidae]]
+{{Cyprinodontiformes-stub}}
-[[de:Elacatinus]]
+[[de:Spitzmaulkärpfling]]
+[[fr:Molly (poisson)]]
+[[it:Poecilia sphenops]]
+[[nl:Black molly]]
+[[no:Molly]]
+[[oc:Molly]]
+[[pl:Molinezja ostrousta]]
+[[fi:Mustamolli]]
+[[sv:Black Molly (fisk)]]
+[[uk:Молінезія]]