Hong Kong Biodiversity Database

Hong Kong Biodiversity Database

General Information

Xiphophorus variatus Variable platyfish
Animal Group:	Freshwater Fish
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cyprinodontiformes
Family:	Poeciliidae
Description:	Similar to X. helleri, the fish is one of the most popular aquarium fishes but has a stockier body and variable colour forms. The male generally has brighter body colour with black spots on its body while female has 2 black dots at the base of caudal fin.

Conservation Status

AFCD Assessment

Common

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Status

Least Concern

Distribution

Distribution in Hong Kong Found in large numbers in many local freshwater streams, rivers and ponds. Global Distribution Native to Central America and has been introduced throughout the world as an aquarium fish.

Photo Gallery

References

More on Freshwater Fish in HK

Lam, K. S. (2002). Freshwater Fish in Hong Kong. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Friends of the Country Parks and Cosmos Books Ltd., Hong Kong.

Lee, V. L. F., Lam, S. K. S., Ng, F. K. Y., Chan, T. K. T. and Young, M. L. C. (2004). Field Guide to the Freshwater Fish of Hong Kong.Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Friends of the Country Parks and Cosmos Books Ltd., Hong Kong