Phallichthys
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| Phallichthys | |
|---|---|
 | |
| P. amates male | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cyprinodontiformes |
| Family: | Poeciliidae |
| Tribe: | Poeciliini |
| Genus: | Phallichthys C. L. Hubbs, 1924 |
| Type species | |
| Poeciliopsis isthmensis | |
Phallichthys is a genus of poeciliids native to Central America. They are hardy fish which inhabit stagnant and slow-flowing waters, making them well-suited to fishkeeping.
The genus name Phallichthys comes from the Ancient Greek φαλλός (phallós), meaning "penis", and ἰχθύς (ikhthús), meaning "fish",[2] referring to the "comparatively huge" gonopodium, the modified anal fin used for copulation.[3] The common name for P. amates, the merry widow, is sometimes applied to other species in the genus as well.[3]
Taxonomy
There are currently four recognized species in the genus Phallichthys:[4]
- P. amates (N. Miller, 1907) (merry widow livebearer)
- P. fairweatheri D. E. Rosen & R. M. Bailey, 1959 (Picotee livebearer)
- P. quadripunctatus W. A. Bussing, 1979
- P. tico W. A. Bussing, 1963
The sister clade to the genus includes genera Neoheterandria and Poeciliopsis.[5]
Ecology
Phallichthys species are found primarily on the Atlantic slope of Central America.[5] They prefer shallow, stagnant or slow-flowing waters and muddy substrate. Aquatic plants are often present in their habitat. Their diet consists mainly of algae and aufwuchs but small aquatic invertebrates are occasionally taken as well.[3]
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