russetfin topminnow

Scientific name Fundulus escambiae
Descriptor Bollman
Year of description 1887
IUCN category (World) LC
Family Fundulidae
Genus Fundulus
Fundulus escambiae Fundulus escambiae

Introduction

The russetfin topminnow is a killifish only found in the United States. It resides in the marshy areas of Florida and Alabama.

Who is it?

Morphology

  • Type
  • Average size
    4 cm
  • Maximum size
    6 cm
  • Shape
    Rectangular
  • Pattern
    circle pattern
  • Type
  • Average size
    4 cm
  • Maximum size
    6 cm
  • Shape
    Rectangular
  • Pattern
    circle pattern

How to recognize the russetfin topminnow ?

The russetfin topminnow is bicolored with a predominantly silver and black body. This species is covered with small black dots that sometimes form vertical lines. It also has an orange spot around its eyes, which are marked by a vertical black line.

Sexual dimorphism

Mature males are more colorful. During spawning season, they are easily recognizable by their postures and displays. Their anal fin is longer and more pointed than in females.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • diet
    omnivorous with carnivorous tendency
  • Sociability
    living in small groups
  • territorial
    Yes
  • Way of living
    diurnal

The russetfin topminnows live in small scattered groups of a few individuals. Juveniles are observed in larger numbers. These fish reside in or near vegetation, an area suitable for hunting and providing shelter.

Males are territorial, especially during breeding season. They defend the spawning area and are very active in attracting females to their territory.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovipare qui dépose ses Œufs dans la végétation

Reproduction takes place in late spring and early summer. During this period, males are much more colorful.

The eggs have adhesive filaments and attach to vegetation once they are laid. Males fertilize the eggs while they are still hanging from the female's genital papilla.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : LC

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    15 - 25 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    6 - 7

Biotope presentation

The russetfin topminnow is found in shallow, calm areas rich in vegetation. It lives close to the surface in submerged vegetation. The substrate can consist of fine sand, peat, gravel, or stones. Its preference for algae and aquatic plants rich waters is related to the reproduction mode of this species, which uses plants to attach its eggs.

They can survive in relatively warm and poorly oxygenated waters.

Species of the same biotope

Main recommendations for fishkeeping

Deontology

In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.

Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.

We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.

Our recommendations

  • Min volume
    40 liters
  • Population min
    2
  • Temperature
    15 - 25 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    6 - 7

Characteristics

  • Difficulty breeding
    very difficult
  • Robustness
    tolerant
  • Behaviour
    slightly aggressive
  • Availability
    unavailable

General reminders

It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.

In nature, animals are subject to weather conditions and live in waters with variable characteristics. The recommendations offered by our team for aquarium maintenance are a guidance and cannot be assimilated to scientific datas.

General reminder on maintenance datas

Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.

Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.

Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.

Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.

En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.

Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.

Specific needs for the russetfin topminnow

The russetfin topminnow is a species which lives naturally at a temperature between 15 °C and 25 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 28°C for long periods. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month.

The russetfin topminnow is a species whose maintenance is rather reserved for informed aquarists . It can only be successfully carried out by carrying out a minimum of documentation work. Special husbandry conditions can easily lead to the death of the species or other animals.

Jumping fish

Be careful, the russetfin topminnow is an excellent jumper, naturally using this faculty to change its living area or to escape from predators. The aquarium must be perfectly covered to prevent him from making a deadly jump...

Cohabitation & Environment

The russetfin topminnow is a fish which it is advisable to maintain in specific aquarium. Associating it with other species is not fundamentally impossible but a documentation work is necessary for the constitution of the population. Being a living in small groups fish, it is advisable to install at least 2 individuals in an aquarium of 40 liters minimum. Group maintenance is a prerequisite to ensure their well-being. Lonely individuals tend to quickly become stressed and become especially susceptible to disease.

The species enjoys a particularly vegetation-rich environment. The addition of plants will provide many useful hiding places for resting. These areas are also conducive to possible breeding in the aquarium. Floating plants such as Salvinia can be added to recreate the subdued atmosphere characteristic of its living conditions in the wild.

Tips for feeding

The russetfin topminnow is omnivorous with carnivorous tendency.

This species does not appreciate being fed with freeze-dried food (flakes...). Some specimens will never eat this type of food.

You should not overfeed your residents to avoid polluting the water. For most species, it is better to feed a few small portions each day rather than one large meal.

Food recommendations from our partner JBL - Products PRONOVO

Reproduction protocol

  • egg-laying protection
    No

Hybridization risks

In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.

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To go further

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Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Benoit Chartrer

Benoit Chartrer

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

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Scientific partners

Species of the same biotope

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