Origin:Mexico

Etymology: Named after Cortez.

Synonyms: Xiphophorus montezumae cortezi

First European import: Germany, 1964, by the Zoological Institute Hamburg.

Description: See picture. In the picture the short 0.5mm tail isn't visible. There's also a variety which posseses a longer tail, 1.2cm.

Care: Can be kept in normal community tanks, although they should not be kept together with other livebearers, since the fish will cross and I quote Baensch and Riehl, another true species will become extinct
The fish appreciate strong filtration, water should be slightly basic, and should not be too soft.

Temperature: 24-28 degrees.

Feeding: Omnivorous,all food is accepted.

Size: 5 cm.

pH: 7.2-8.5

Breeding: Easy, if the parents are kept well, every 4-5 weeks between 10-30 fry will be born.

Sexual dimorphism: Besides a gonopodium the males also posses a small sword.

Prices:Netherlands: 4€.

Additional: If you can buy these fish from a shop, but there they have been kept together with other livebearers, you should destroy all the fry that's born in the first half year.

Picture references: Pictures: E. Naus.

References:Baensch, H. A., Riehl, R.(1982): Aquarien Atlas I. Mergus Verlag, Melle, Germany.

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