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 length of 20 centimetres (7.9 in) TL, with males growing to a length of 10 centimetres (3.9 in) TL. It is the only known member of its genus.[3] Unlike most poeciliids (which tend to be generalists or micro predators), this is a highly specialized predator, with an extremely flexible upper jaw that enables them to take very large prey items for their size.[4] The piki topminnow was described in 1860 by the Austrian ichthyologist Rudolf Kner[5], Kner gave the type locality as Belize, which is reflected in this species specific name.[6]

Pike topminnow

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
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. There is a dark spot at the base of the caudal fin.[7]

In the aquarium

This fish can be found in the aquarium trade; however, they are not easy aquarium residents, especially by Poeciliid standards. It lives principally near the surface of the water and requires a large tank with plentiful plant growth. Adults feed on large fragments of fish, dragonfly larvae, tadpoles, and worms; it is highly unusual for these fishes to take non-living foods in captivity and failure to keep them sufficiently fed will result in the females cannibalizing the much smaller males. For breeding they require a water temperature of 25–30 degrees Celsius, and the addition of aquarium salt can help. A single spawning can produce up to 100 young. The fry are 2.5–3 cm long and, similarly to their parents, require feedings of live foods (in this case including such things as water fleas, baby brine shrimp, and white worms); the parents are exceedingly cannibalistic to fry, usually requiring the fish keeper to remove the fry for their own safety.

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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, W. N.; R. Fricke & R. van der Laan (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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