Xiphophorus
| Xiphophorus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Green swordtail, Xiphophorus hellerii | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cyprinodontiformes |
| Family: | Poeciliidae |
| Tribe: | Poeciliini |
| Genus: | Xiphophorus Heckel, 1848 |
| Type species | |
| Xiphophorus hellerii Heckel, 1848[1] | |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Xiphophorus is a genus of euryhaline and freshwater fish. It is in the family Poeciliidae of order Cyprinodontiformes. Xiphophorus is native to Mexico and northern Central America. The species can be divided into three groups based on their evolutionary relationships: platyfish (or platy), northern swordtails, and southern swordtails. The name Xiphophorus comes from the Greek words ξίφος (dagger) and φόρος (bearer), referring to the gonopodium on the males. All are relatively small fish, which reach a maximum length of 3.5–16 cm (1.4–6.3 in) depending on the exact species involved.
References
- ↑ Eschmeyer, W. N.; Fricke, R. & van der Laan, R. (eds.). "Xiphophorus". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
- ↑ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Genera in the family Poeciliidae". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 7 November 2019.