Pike Top Minnow (Belonesox belizanus) Care Guide
Belonesox belizanus is a predatory livebearer of the family Poeciliidae from Central America, resembling a small freshwater pike and reaching up to 20 cm.
Overview
Belonesox belizanus is the only member of its genus and the largest livebearer in the family Poeciliidae. The body is elongated with an upturned lower jaw and a dorsal fin set far back, recalling a small pike. FishBase records a maximum total length of 20 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Poeciliidae
- Genus: Belonesox (monotypic)
- Scientific name: Belonesox belizanus
- Authority: Kner, 1860
Habitat
FishBase records the species from Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, with introduced populations in Florida, USA. It inhabits fresh and brackish waters and tolerates salinity up to 40 ppt.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L (53 gal)
- Temperature: 24-30 °C (75-86 °F)
- pH: 7.5-8.5
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- Cover: dense planting and surface structure
Diet
Belonesox belizanus is a piscivore. Wikipedia describes an extremely flexible upper jaw that lets it take large prey for its size. In captivity it requires meaty foods and often live or frozen fish; FishBase notes it is a specialised fish-eater.
Compatibility
This is an aggressive top-water predator that will eat any fish small enough to swallow. It is best kept in a species-only tank; even within the species, smaller individuals may be eaten by larger ones. It is not suited to community settings.
Breeding
The species is a livebearer. FishBase notes broods of up to about 100 young. Females are larger than males, and as with other poeciliids fertilisation is internal with live birth.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2018), per FishBase.