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Barred Topminnow (Quintana atrizona) — Poeciliidae

Barred Topminnow

Quintana atrizona
Family: Poeciliidae
CR · Critically Endangered

The Barred Topminnow (Quintana atrizona) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Endemic to Cuba.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The barred topminnow is a very small fish of the family Poeciliidae, endemic to Cuba. The species reaches only about 2 cm and has a translucent, silvery-grey body with narrow dark cross-bars. It inhabits ponds and prefers dense thickets of aquatic vegetation, where it finds cover. As an omnivore it feeds on small zooplankton, algae and detritus. Like other poeciliids fertilisation is internal and the female bears live young. Through the loss of its habitat the species is assessed by the IUCN as critically endangered (CR).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barred Topminnow?

The Barred Topminnow has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Very small ovoviviparous fish, endemic to Cuba; critically endangered (CR) due to habitat loss.

Where does the Barred Topminnow live?

The Barred Topminnow lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Endemic to Cuba.

How big does the Barred Topminnow get?

The Barred Topminnow grows to a maximum of about 2 cm. On average the species is around 2 cm.

Is the Barred Topminnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Barred Topminnow is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Barred Topminnow edible?

The Barred Topminnow is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Barred Topminnow verified
Scientific name
Quintana atrizona
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Barred topminnow verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.0 verified
Average length (cm)
1.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Endemic to Cuba. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton, algae and detritus sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Very small ovoviviparous fish, endemic to Cuba; critically endangered (CR) due to habitat loss. 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

More from the family Poeciliidae

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