Phallichthys amates
| Merry widow livebearer | |
|---|---|
| A male | |
| A female | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cyprinodontiformes |
| Family: | Poeciliidae |
| Genus: | Phallichthys |
| Species: | P. amates |
| Binomial name | |
| Phallichthys amates R. R. Miller, 1907 | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Poeciliopsis isthmensis | |
Phallichthys amates, the merry widow or merry widow livebearer, is a livebearer fish from Central America, the largest and most widespread in its genus. Two subspecies range from Guatemala to Panama. Distinguishing features include the dark dorsal fin edge, a stripe through the eye, and an oversized male copulatory organ (gonopodium).