Learn & Explore/Species/Introduced & Invasive/Green Swordtail
Green Swordtail
Category: Invasive
An invasive aquarium fish that competes with Hawaiʻi’s native species.
Green Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii)
-
Popular freshwater aquarium fish
-
Males are identified as having a large “swordtail” 3
-
Females lack a “swordtail” and only have a fan shaped tail 3
-
Red or brown mid lateral stripe 1
Habitat
-
Inhabits fast flowing streams and rivers around vegetation 3
-
Has been found in warm springs, ponds, and ditches 3
Can be also be found in brackish water.
Impacts & Concern
-
Largely unknown impact but has been implicated in the decline of native damselflies on Oʻahu 2
-
Known to carry parasites that can affect native gobies 2
Introduction
The Green Swordtail is a popular ornamental fish and was most likely introduced through aquarium release 2
Distribution in Hawai‘i
-
Kauaʻi: Present
-
Oʻahu: Present
-
Molokaʻi: Present
-
Lānaʻi: Not documented
-
Maui: Present
-
Hawaiʻi Island: Present
References
-
Froese, R. (2021). Xiphophorus hellerii summary page. FishBase. https://www.fishbase.de/summary/XIPHOPHORUS-HELLERII.html.
-
Nico, L., Fuller, P., & Neilson, M. (2012). Green Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) – Species Profile. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=869.
-
USFWS. (2019). Green Swordtail Ecological Risk Screening Summary. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. https://www.fws.gov/fisheries/ANS/erss/uncertainrisk/ERSS-Xiphophorus-hellerii-FINAL-November2019.pdf
