Pike topminnow

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Pike topminnow
Belonesox belizanus (Wroclaw zoo).JPG

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cyprinodontiformes
Family: Poeciliidae
Subfamily: Poeciliinae
Tribe: Gambusiini
Genus: Belonesox
Kner, 1860
Species:
B. belizanus
Binomial name
Belonesox belizanus
Kner, 1860

The pike topminnow (Belonesox belizanus), also known as the top minnow,[2] is a species of poeciliid found from Mexico to Costa Rica. It has also been introduced to Florida, USA. The female of the species grows to a total length of 20 cm (7.9 in), with males growing to 10 cm (3.9 in). It is the only known member of its genus.[3] Unlike most poeciliids (which tend to be generalists or micropredators), this is a highly specialized predator, with an extremely flexible upper jaw that enables it to take very large prey items for its size.[4] The pike topminnow was described in 1860 by Austrian ichthyologist Rudolf Kner,[5] who gave the type locality as Belize, which is reflected in this species' specific name.[6]

Description[]

It has an elongated appearance with a flat back profile. The lower jaw is longer than the upper, and upturned. The pike topminnow has large eyes and a dorsal fin set far back on the body. It is a light, olive/brown color with light green iridescence and small black spots on the flanks. The belly is a lighter yellowish white. A dark spot is at the base of the caudal fin.[7]

In the aquarium[]

This fish can be found in the aquarium trade, but is not an easy aquarium resident, especially by poeciliid standards.

References[]

  1. ^ Palmer-Newton, A. (2019). "Belonesox belizanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T191721A2000068. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T191721A2000068.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Belonesox belizanus" in FishBase. August 2019 version.
  3. ^ Courtenay, W.R., Jr., H.F. Sahlman, W.W. Miley, II, and D.J. Herrema. 1974. Exotic fishes in fresh and brackish waters of Florida. Biological Conservation 6: 292–302.
  4. ^ "Belonesox belizanus - Pike livebearer | Tropical Fish".
  5. ^ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Belonesox belizanus". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  6. ^ Christopher Scharpf; Kenneth J. Lazara (26 October 2019). "Order CYPRINODONTIFORMES: Families POECILIIDAE, ANABLEPIDAE, VALENCIIDAE, APHANIIDAE and PROCATOPODIDAE". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  7. ^ Sakurai, A., Y. Sakamoto, and F. Mori. 1993. Aquarium fish of the world: the comprehensive guide to 650 species. Chronicle Books, San Francisco, CA
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