Xiphophorus montezumae

Xiphophorus montezumae, the Montezuma swordtail, is a livebearing freshwater fish of the order Cyprinodontiformes, family Poeciliidae, and genus Xiphophorus.^[2] It is in the same genus as the common platy and the swordtail. Xiphophorus means 'sword-bearer' in Greek.

Xiphophorus montezumae
Male
Female
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cyprinodontiformes
Family:	Poeciliidae
Genus:	Xiphophorus
Species:	X. montezumae
Binomial name
Xiphophorus montezumae D. S. Jordan & Snyder, 1899

Description

Growing to a maximum length of around 7.5 cm (3.0 in), the females are larger in size than the males. The genus Xiphophorus is common in freshwater aquariums. The males of this particular species are known for their metallic green scales and the fact that their "sword" stays horizontal unlike most species where it is angled downward.