Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cyprinodontiformes (Rivulines, killifishes and live bearers) >
Poeciliidae (Poeciliids) > Poeciliinae
Etymology: Xenophallus: Greek, xenos = strange + Latin, phallus = penis (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Meek.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; pelagic; pH range: ? - 7.2; dH range: ? - 3; depth range 10 - 20 m (Ref. 36880). Tropical; 21°C - 37°C (Ref. 36880)
Central America: Lake Nicaragua on the Atlantic drainage to the Río Parismina and the Río Tenorio drainage on the Pacific slope (Ref. 36880). Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 4.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 36880)
Body thin, translucent and yellowish. Base of the first dorsal rays with a black blotch; in males the posterior edge of the dorsal fin is also black and sometimes the remainder of the fin is brilliant yellow. The males and young have 5 to 10 black bars on the side which are diffuse or absent in females. The gonopodium is asymmetrical and either dextral or sinistral; the apex of which in mature males bears a long upper projection and swelling below, both of which are membranous (Ref. 36880).
Inhabits waters of all velocities, between 35 and 590 m elevation, with temperatures of 21 to 37°C. Lives in small groups in brooks, creeks and along the shorelines of rivers where it feeds on detritus, filamentous algae, aquatic insects and ooze. Probably reproduces throughout the year (Ref. 36880).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
After 28 days gestation, about 15 to 50 young are born. Sexual maturity is reached after 3-4 months (Ref. 2060).
Lucinda, P.H.F., 2003. Poeciliidae (Livebearers). p. 555-581. In R.E. Reis, S.O. Kullander and C.J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds.) Checklist of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America. Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS, Brazil. (Ref. 50894)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 1.0000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00851 (0.00374 - 0.01935), b=3.14 (2.95 - 3.33), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 2.4 ±0.21 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
