| Poeciliidae (Poeciliids), subfamily: Poeciliinae |
| 4 cm TL (male/unsexed); 6 cm TL (female) |
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benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 7 - 8; dH range: 9 - 19, non-migratory |
| North and Central America: Ciudad Veracruz, Mexico to northern Belize. At least one country reports adverse ecological impact after introduction. |
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Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10. Distinct line of black pigment midventrally on caudal peduncle absent. Greatest body depth about 2 times in SL. Ventral rays of caudal fin of males not elongated into a sword. Male gonopodium falling short of caudal fin base, without a membranous protuberance, third ray with a strong hook (Ref. 30499). |
| Adults occur in warm springs, canals and ditches with typically slow-moving water, silt bottoms and weedy banks (Refs. 5723; 44091, 44894). Also inhabit creeks and swamps (Ref. 44894). Feed on worms, crustaceans, insects and plant matter (Refs. 7020; 44091). Used for genetic research (Ref. 4537). Several color varieties are popular aquarium fishes, where they attain sexual maturity after 3-4 months and reproduce easily (Ref. 1672). Aquarium keeping: minimum aquarium size 60 cm (Ref. 51539). |
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Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 03 April 2018 Ref. (130435)
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Recorded from the Chalakudy river, part of the Western Ghats, Kerala (Ref. 79567).The species had become sympatric with the indigenous Melon Barb, Puntius fasciatus (Jerdon 1849) in the streams that flow through tea plantations in Valparai. Its insectivorous feeding habit make them potential competitors for indigenous barbs like Puntius fasciatus, Puntius ticto (Hamilton 1822) Puntius vittatus (Day 1865) and Killi Fishes like Aplocheilus lineatus (Valenciennes 1846) Aplocheilus panchax (Hamilton 1822) and Aplocheilus dayi (Steindachner 1892) which are highly popular ornamental fish species found in River Chalakudy (Ref. 79567). |
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