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Banded topminnow (Fundulus cingulatus) — Fundulidae

Banded topminnow

Fundulus cingulatus
Family: Fundulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Banded topminnow (Fundulus cingulatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Fundulidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southeastern United States; swamps and slow-flowing streams.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The banded topminnow is a topminnow (Fundulidae) from the southeastern United States. The species is small; males are handsomely coloured with orange-red tints and narrow dark crossbars. It inhabits swamps, pools and sheltered parts of slow-flowing creeks and small to medium rivers. At and near the surface it snaps at insects, mosquito larvae and small zooplankton. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded topminnow?

The Banded topminnow has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly red-orange and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Males with orange-red tints and narrow vertical bars; small surface killifish of swamps.

Where does the Banded topminnow live?

The Banded topminnow lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Southeastern United States; swamps and slow-flowing streams.

How big does the Banded topminnow get?

The Banded topminnow grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Banded topminnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded topminnow is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Banded topminnow edible?

The Banded topminnow is not usually eaten.

More photos

Banded topminnow (Fundulus cingulatus) — Fundulidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Bradley Rasmussen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded topminnow (Fundulus cingulatus) — Fundulidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) rainbowkitten, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Banded topminnow (Fundulus cingulatus) — Fundulidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) abmore23, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded topminnow (Fundulus cingulatus) — Fundulidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) DT, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Banded topminnow verified
Scientific name
Fundulus cingulatus
Family
Fundulidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Southeastern United States; swamps and slow-flowing streams. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects, midge larvae and small zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Males with orange-red tints and narrow vertical bars; small surface killifish of swamps. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Fundulus

More from the family Fundulidae

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