Variable platyfish
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| Xiphophorus variatus (Meek, 1904) |
The variable platyfish (Xiphophorus variatus) is a species of freshwater fish in family Poecilidae of order Cyprinodontiformes. A live-bearer, it is native to southern Tamaulipas and northern Veracruz states in northeastern Mexico.
The variable platyfish grows to a maximum overall length of 7.0 cm (2.8 in).
X. variatus prefers slow-moving waters of canals, ditches, and warm springs. Omnivorous, its diet includes both plants and small crustaceans, insects, and annelid worms.
The variable platyfish is bred commercially for the aquarium hobby, and the species has been used in genetic research.
The species has been introduced and become established in a number of locales, including Colombia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, the latter of which reports a negative impact on native species; the species is considered a potential pest due to its prodigious breeding.
X. variatus is also known by a variety of other common names, including variable platy, variegated platy, variatus platy, with many colour and pattern types such as the Indian platy, parrot platy (Ger. Papageienkärpfling), and sunset platy.
[edit] References
- "Xiphophorus variatus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. October 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.
- Xiphophorus variatus (TSN 165925). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 9 December 2004.
