Poeciliidae is a family of freshwater
fishes of the order
Cyprinodontiformes, the tooth-carps, and include well-known
live-bearing aquarium fish, such as the
guppy,
molly,
platy, and
swordtail. The original distribution of the family was the southeastern United States to north of
Rio de la Plata,
Argentina, and Africa, including
Madagascar. However, due to release of aquarium specimens and the widespread use of species of the genera
Poecilia and
Gambusia for mosquito control, poeciliids can today be found in all tropical and subtropical areas of the world. In addition,
Poecilia and
Gambusia specimens have been identified in hot springs pools as far north as
Banff, Alberta.