Belonesox belizanus

Belonesox belizanus
Conservation status
Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cyprinodontiformes
Family:	Poeciliidae
Genus:	Belonesox Kner, 1860
Species:	B. belizanus
Binomial name
Belonesox belizanus Kner, 1860

Belonesox belizanus, the pike topminnow, 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.^[1]

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.^[2]

In the aquarium

This fish can be found in the aquarium trade, however it is a predator and is unsuitable for mixed aquaria. 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. 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 feed on water fleas and white worms. It is not unknown for the female to hunt her young relentlessly. They have an extremely flexible upper jaw enabling them to swallow very large chunks of food.^[3]

References

• Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2012). "Belonesox belizanus" in FishBase. August 2012 version.