Biology:Pike topminnow
| Pike topminnow | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cyprinodontiformes |
| Family: | Poeciliidae |
| Subfamily: | Poeciliinae |
| Tribe: | Gambusiini |
| Genus: | Belonesox Kner, 1860 |
| Species: | B. belizanus
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| Binomial name | |
| Belonesox belizanus Kner, 1860
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The pike topminnow (Belonesox belizanus), more commonly known as pike killifish and sometimes referred to as topminnow,[2][3] is a species of poeciliid found from Mexico to Nicaragua.[1][2] It has also been introduced to Florida, USA.[1][2][4] It is the only known member of its genus.[5] The pike topminnow was described in 1860 by Austrian ichthyologist Rudolf Kner,[6] who gave the type locality as Belize, which is reflected in this species' specific name.[7]
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.[8]
Description
It grows typically to 9.7 cm (3.8 in) total length, exceptionally to 20 cm (7.9 in).[2] 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.[9] They are also a livebearing fish.[10][3]
In the aquarium
This fish can be found in the aquarium trade, but is not an easy aquarium resident, especially by poeciliid standards.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 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. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/191721/2000068. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2019). "Belonesox belizanus" in FishBase. August 2019 version.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Pike Killifish" (in en-US). 2020-04-14. https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/florida-fishes-gallery/pike-killifish/.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2022). Species of Belonesox in FishBase. February 2022 version.
- ↑ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron; van der Laan, Richard, eds. "Belonesox belizanus". California Academy of Sciences. http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatget.asp?spid=13953.
- ↑ "Order CYPRINODONTIFORMES: Families POECILIIDAE, ANABLEPIDAE, VALENCIIDAE, APHANIIDAE and PROCATOPODIDAE". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. 26 October 2019. http://www.etyfish.org/cyprinodontiformes4/.
- ↑ "Belonesox belizanus - Pike livebearer | Tropical Fish". http://diszhal.info/english/livebearers/en_Belonesox_belizanus.php.
- ↑ Sakurai, A., Y. Sakamoto, and F. Mori. 1993. Aquarium fish of the world: the comprehensive guide to 650 species. Chronicle Books, San Francisco, CA
- ↑ "Belonesox belizanus". https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=843#:~:text=Pike%20Killifish%20(Belonesox%20belizanus)%20%2D%20Species%20Profile&text=Synonyms%20and%20Other%20Names%3A%20pike,bearer%2C%20pike%20topminnow%2C%20picudito..
Wikidata ☰ Q1535154 entry
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