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Pike topminnow

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(Redirected from Belonesox) Species of fish

Pike topminnow
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
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), more commonly known as pike killifish and sometimes referred to as topminnow, is a species of poeciliid found from Mexico to Nicaragua. It has also been introduced to Florida, USA. It is the only known member of its genus. The pike topminnow was described in 1860 by Austrian ichthyologist Rudolf Kner, who gave the type locality as Belize, which is reflected in this species' specific name.

Ecology

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.

Description

It grows typically to 9.7 cm (3.8 in) total length, exceptionally to 20 cm (7.9 in). 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. They are also a livebearing fish.

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.). "Belonesox belizanus". FishBase. August 2019 version.
  3. ^ "Pike Killifish". Florida Museum. 2020-04-14. Retrieved 2022-04-30.
  4. Courtenay, Walter R. Jr.; Sahlman, Harry F.; Miley, Woodard W. & Herrema, David J. (1974). "Exotic fishes in fresh and brackish waters of Florida". Biological Conservation. 6 (4): 292–302. doi:10.1016/0006-3207(74)90008-1.
  5. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Species in genus Belonesox". FishBase. February 2022 version.
  6. Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Belonesox belizanus". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  7. 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.
  8. "Belonesox belizanus - Pike livebearer | Tropical Fish".
  9. Sakurai, A., Y. Sakamoto, and F. Mori. 1993. Aquarium fish of the world: the comprehensive guide to 650 species. Chronicle Books, San Francisco, CA
  10. "Belonesox belizanus". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
Taxon identifiers
Belonesox belizanus
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