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These are small often brightly colored fishes with a flattened head and back, upturned mouth, large eyes, and one dorsal fin located far back on the body. As their name implies, topminnows spend most of their lives swimming at or near the water surface. About 40 species are found in fresh, salt, and brackish water in North America; 4 species are found in Virginia. Most species are sexually dimorphic. Males have larger dorsal and anal fins, and are much more highly colored in the breeding season than females. Some of these schooling species are readily caught by nets and used as fish bait by anglers. Some species are important for mosquito control and are favored by aquarium owners. These small stream fishes add to the aquatic diversity and serve as links in the food chain and indicators of water quality.


Banded Killifish
Banded Killifish
Lined Topminnow
Lined Topminnow
Mummichog
Mummichog
Northern Studfish
Northern Studfish
Speckled Killifish
Speckled Killifish

VAFWIS

Continue Browsing Families.....
  1. Petromyzontidae, Lampreys
  2. Polyodontidae, Paddlefish
  3. Acipenseridae, Sturgeons
  4. Lepisosteidae, Gars
  5. Amiidae, Bowfins
  6. Anguillidae, Freshwater Eels
  7. Amblyopsidae, Cavefishes
  8. Ictaluridae, Catfish
  9. Percopsidae, Trout-Perches
  10. Salmonidae, Trouts
  11. Clupeidae, Herrings
  12. Esocidae, Pikes
  13. Aphredoderidae, Pirate Perches
  14. Umbridae, Mudminnows
  15. Fundulidae, Killifishes
  16. Poeciliidae, Livebearers
  17. Cyprinidae, Minnows
  18. Catostomidae, Suckers
  19. Gasterosteidae, Sticklebacks
  20. Atherinidae, Silversides
  21. Cottidae, Sculpins
  22. Sciaenidae, Drums
  23. Percidae, Perches
  24. Moronidae, Striped Basses
  25. Centrarchidae, Sunfishes

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