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Golden topminnow (Fundulus chrysotus) — Fundulidae

Golden topminnow

Fundulus chrysotus
Family: Fundulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Golden topminnow (Fundulus chrysotus) is a freshwater fish of the family Fundulidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southeastern United States, in swamps, vegetated pools and calm sections of streams and rivers.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The golden topminnow is a small surface fish (family Fundulidae) of the south-eastern United States. The species reaches about 8 cm and has a stocky, golden body; males bear red to orange speckles. It lives in swamps, vegetated pools and quiet parts of sluggish creeks and rivers and feeds mainly on insects and small invertebrates at or near the surface. Unlike many killifish it is not a seasonal species. The fish is harmless to humans, of no fishery value, and a popular, easily kept aquarium fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Golden topminnow?

The Golden topminnow has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a spots pattern. Golden surface fish; males with red speckles; popular and easy aquarium fish.

Where does the Golden topminnow live?

The Golden topminnow lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Southeastern United States, in swamps, vegetated pools and calm sections of streams and rivers.

How big does the Golden topminnow get?

The Golden topminnow grows to a maximum of about 9 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Golden topminnow dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Golden topminnow edible?

The Golden topminnow is not usually eaten.

More photos

Golden topminnow (Fundulus chrysotus) — Fundulidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Fredlyfish4 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Golden topminnow (Fundulus chrysotus) — Fundulidae — 3
geosesarma (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Golden topminnow (Fundulus chrysotus) — Fundulidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Brian Gratwicke (CC BY 2.0)
Golden topminnow (Fundulus chrysotus) — Fundulidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Fredlyfish4 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Golden topminnow verified
Scientific name
Fundulus chrysotus
Family
Fundulidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.5 verified
Average length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Spots 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, in swamps, vegetated pools and calm sections of streams and rivers. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Mainly insects and small invertebrates 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
Golden surface fish; males with red speckles; popular and easy aquarium fish. 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

Baja California killifish (Fundulus lima) — Fundulidae
Baja California killifish
Fundulus lima
Fundulidae
 Bayou killifish (Fundulus pulvereus) — Fundulidae
Bayou killifish
Fundulus pulvereus
Fundulidae
 Bayou topminnow (Fundulus nottii) — Fundulidae
Bayou topminnow
Fundulus nottii
Fundulidae
 California killifish (Fundulus parvipinnis) — Fundulidae
California killifish
Fundulus parvipinnis
Fundulidae
 Cuban killifish (Fundulus saguanus) — Fundulidae
Cuban killifish (Fundulus saguanus)
Fundulidae
 Diamond killifish (Fundulus xenicus) — Fundulidae
Diamond killifish
Fundulus xenicus
Fundulidae

More from the family Fundulidae

Baja California killifish (Fundulus lima) — Fundulidae
Baja California killifish
Fundulus lima
Fundulidae
 Bayou killifish (Fundulus pulvereus) — Fundulidae
Bayou killifish
Fundulus pulvereus
Fundulidae
 Bayou topminnow (Fundulus nottii) — Fundulidae
Bayou topminnow
Fundulus nottii
Fundulidae
 Bluefin killifish (Lucania goodei) — Fundulidae
Bluefin killifish
Lucania goodei
Fundulidae
 California killifish (Fundulus parvipinnis) — Fundulidae
California killifish
Fundulus parvipinnis
Fundulidae
 Cuban killifish (Fundulus saguanus) — Fundulidae
Cuban killifish (Fundulus saguanus)
Fundulidae
 Diamond killifish (Fundulus xenicus) — Fundulidae
Diamond killifish
Fundulus xenicus
Fundulidae
 Pygmy killifish (Leptolucania ommata) — Fundulidae
Pygmy killifish
Leptolucania ommata
Fundulidae
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