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💧 Freshwater Data Deficient 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Yellow swordtail

Xiphophorus clemenciae Álvarez, 1959
🍽️ Seafood Guide 👩‍🍳 Recipes ← All Species
Max Length
5.1 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.1
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
27.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Common in small streams and brooks with light current and rockpools in areas with extensive limestone outcroppings; relatively uncommon in fast-flowing streams .

Scientific Name
Xiphophorus clemenciae
Authority
Álvarez, 1959
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
DD
Max Length
5.1 cm
Trophic Level
3.1
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
27.00/100
Migration
Non-migratory
Water Temp
22–26 °C
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Teleostei
Teleostei
Order
Cyprinodontiformes
Cyprinodontiformes
Family
Poeciliidae
Poeciliidae
Genus
Xiphophorus
Xiphophorus
Species
Yellow swordtail
Xiphophorus clemenciae

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Yellow swordtail is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Yellow swordtail is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Yellow swordtail is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

After a gestation period of 24-28 days, female gives birth to 10-15 young .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.2 - 8.0; dH range: 3 - 10; non-migratory . Tropical; 22°C - 26°C North America: Coatzacoalcos and Papaloapan ecoregions in Mexico.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Migration
Non-migratory
Trophic Level
3.1±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00851 × L3.15 (TL)
Max TL
5.1cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
22–26°C
pH Range
7.2–8
Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Data Deficient
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
27.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.1
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Álvarez, 1959

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Yellow swordtail is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Yellow swordtail is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Yellow swordtail has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 15 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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🍽️
Seafood Guide
Yellow swordtail: Edibility, Nutrition & Safety
👩‍🍳
Recipes
Yellow swordtail Recipes