Pike topminnow


The pike topminnow, also known as the top minnow, 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 TL, with males growing to a length of TL. It is the only known member of its genus. Unlike most poeciliids, this is a highly specialized predator, with an extremely flexible upper jaw that enables them to take very large prey items for their size. The piki topminnow was described in 1860 by the Austrian ichthyologist Rudolf Kner, Kner gave the type locality as Belize, which is reflected in this species specific name.

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.

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 ; the parents are exceedingly cannibalistic to fry, usually requiring the fish keeper to remove the fry for their own safety.