Highland swordtail
📖 Overview
Highland swordtail (Xiphophorus malinche), first described by Rauchenberger, Kallman & Morizot, 1990 is a small fish in the family Poeciliidae (order Cyprinodontiformes). Adults typically reach 5.50 cm in maximum length. It inhabits freshwater systems including rivers, streams, and lakes. It occurs in Subtropical waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Data Deficient.The species is kept in the aquarium hobby. Care requirements and behaviour align broadly with other Poeciliidae kept in the hobby.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Physical description for Highland swordtail is currently being compiled.
🌀 Behaviour
This species exhibits atypical behavior for swordtails of the montezumae or cortezi groups. In other species of these groups, mature males are usually found darting among and underneath rocks. Males (and females) of X. malinche were found in a shallow, sunny, sand-bottomed river under floating aquatic vegetation. It is known to hybridise with X. birchmanni.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Subtropical; 15°C - 21°C Central America: Rio Panuco basin in Hidalgo, Mexico.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Highland Swordtail |
| 🌍CES | plata horská |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Højlandssværddrager |
| 🇩🇪German | Hochlandschwertträger |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | espada de la Malinche · espada de Malinche |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Highland swordtail.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Highland swordtail ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.