Order Cyprinodontiformes
Superfamily Cyprinodontoidae
Family Fundulidae
Continued…
Genus Fundulus
— Fundulus dispar [Agassiz, 1854] — Starhead topminnow. Synonym: Aphyosemion dispar. North America, Lake Michigan, Mississippi River — small freshwater reservoirs with clean water, a slow current, abundant aquatic vegetation, and soft substrate. 5-7 cm. Body slightly compressed laterally, top of the head flat. Tail rounded. Dorsal fin set far back, further than the anal fin. Male coloration is bluish with a greenish tint on the sides, upper back olive, belly light yellow. A black stripe runs from the forehead through the eye to the lower part of the gill cover. Below the rear part of the eye, there is a black spot resembling a large tear.
Along the upper back on both sides is a row of red-brown dots. On the lower part of the body, there are many dark brown flecks and about 10 narrow vertical stripes. Fins slightly pigmented, yellowish or transparent, sometimes with faint stripes or spots at the bases of the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. Adult males have 3-13 thin reddish-brown horizontal stripes on the sides, which are absent in females. The female is larger than the males, lighter in color, with nine narrow horizontal green-brown stripes running along the body.
In the aquarium, thickets of live plants, including floating ones. Diffused, dim lighting; part of the aquarium must remain in semi-darkness. Occupies the upper water layer. A diurnal fish that feels comfortable either alone or in pairs. Very aggressive towards other fish species, usually not kept in community aquariums. Sexual maturity at about one year of age, at a length of 2.5 cm. Lifespan up to 2 years. pH 5.8-7.2, dH 1-15°. Temperature 22-26°C, can tolerate a drop down to 18°C, but fish become sluggish.
— Fundulus heteroclitus heteroclitus [Linnaeus, 1766] — Mummichog. Widely distributed in American waters, also found in Bermuda and brackish water. 10 cm. In different habitats, fish vary greatly in coloration and body shape. Male coloration is olive-green, sometimes brownish, with 9-13 transverse stripes that appear blue in reflected light, throat blue, belly yellow or orange. The entire body is covered with a veritable constellation of iridescent blue, green, and gold dots. The back is dark olive, sides silvery-white, and the belly, dorsal, and anal fins are an amazing saffron color.
Fins are orange-yellow. Unpaired fins have a dash and bluish stripes at the base; the dorsal fin often features a dark spot bordered by a reddish-brown stripe. The female has a pale olive back, gradually fading sides, a white belly, and casually scattered blue and pink dashes; transverse stripes are usually absent, and there are many black spots on the sides.
In natural conditions, courting males look like yellow shimmering sparks as they energetically pursue their future mates and fight each other. Fights frequently occur between males. Males fiercely pursue females, which spawn on fine-leaved plants. Fundulus species, especially F. heteroclitus, are famous for their hardiness. They prefer old water, preferably salted. Can exist in both pure marine and almost freshwater, although they thrive best at 20% salinity.
— Fundulus majalis [Walbaum, 1792] — Striped Killifish. North America, USA, Gulf of Mexico — saline waters of bays, river mouths, coastal marshes with a thick layer of soft substrate. 15 cm, one of the largest North American killifish, a pugnacious fish with pronounced sexual dimorphism year-round. Body slender and fusiform, head long and blunt, flattened on top. Dorsal fin located far back, caudal peduncle thick. Pale olive to bronze back and silvery-white belly. The male is adorned with 6-9 dark vertical stripes. Fins are transparent and colorless.
During spawning, the male’s back turns black, sides shimmer with bright orange, and fins turn bright yellow. The larger female has three to five randomly positioned horizontal black stripes. The breeding female has a pale olive to bronze back and a silvery-white belly.
Aquarium with thickets of live plants, driftwood, sufficient swimming space, and a tight-fitting cover on top. Occupies the upper water level. Thick sand substrate (about 8 cm). When startled, the fish quickly bury themselves in the sand and stay there for a long time. Less tolerant of pollution and salinity fluctuations; constant aeration and clean water are required. Takes live food at any level.
Sex can be distinguished when the fish grow to 4-5 cm. Sexual maturity occurs in the second year of life, at 7.5 cm for males and 6.5 cm for females. Can spawn up to eight times a year (spawns only in the warm season), scattering eggs in salt, brackish, and fresh water. Eggs are deposited on aquatic moss. Temperature 22-26°C.
Fundulus notatus, nottii, olivaceus, sciadicus, zebrinus.
Fundulus chrysotus, Fundulus cingulatus. 
Last changes and additions made on July 6, 2012.
