Pike topminnow

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]

Pike topminnow
Scientific classification
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

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.
  2. Froese, Rainer and 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. http://diszhal.info/english/livebearers/en_Belonesox_belizanus.php
  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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