Subfamily Goodeinae Higher classification Zoogoneticus | Genus Zoogoneticus Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
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Similar Zoogoneticus, Splitfins, Skiffia, Characodon, Allotoca | ||
Unboxing zoogoneticus tequila from select aquatics
Zoogoneticus tequila, Tequila splitfin or simply Tequila fish, is a species of goodeid fish (family Goodeidae) from Mexico. The specific epithet, tequila, derives from the Tequila Volcano, which looms near the type locality.
Contents
- Unboxing zoogoneticus tequila from select aquatics
- Zoogoneticus tequila webb miller 1998 tequila splitfin aquarium porte dor e 04 2015
- Distribution and conservation
- Description
- References
Zoogoneticus tequila webb miller 1998 tequila splitfin aquarium porte dor e 04 2015
Distribution and conservation
Zoogoneticus tequila is endemic to Mexico. Its current distribution is restricted to a single spring pool in Teuchitlán, only 4 metres (13 ft) in diameter, where a population consisting of less than 50 adult fish live. Even in this habitat, it is outnumbered by introduced guppies by a factor of six. Before the discovery of the pool population in 2000/2001, Zoogoneticus tequila was generally thought to inhabit rivers; however, no fish could be found in the original habitat and the species was considered extinct in the wild. Introduced fish species have been implicated in the disappearance of Zoogoneticus tequila from its type locality. Habitat deterioration may also have contributed. Pollution and water extraction are threats to the pool where the wild population persists. Captive populations are maintained by aquarists.
Description
Along with other Mexican goodeids, Zoogoneticus tequila are viviparous; this lead the genus to be originally included in family Poeciliidae. Clutch size is up to 29 young. Males are smaller than females, with standard length up to 41 mm in males and up to 58 mm in females. Total length can reach 70 mm in females. The sexes can also be distinguished by colouration.
