THE STEINHART AQUARIUM - Gulf of Guinea Science ...

Habitat: Small tropical rivers and streams.
Tolerates conditions from water deficient
in dissolved substances to water with high
concentrations of dissolved minerals, pH
values from acidic to slightly alkaline. Bottom
dweller.
Appearance: Max. size: 5.2 cm. Males display
two color morphs: red and blue. Red males
become less common and disappear completely
as one moves from north to south. P. patriciae
has a distinctly pointed snout and dorsal and
anal fins that come to a sharp point in contrast
to the dorsal and anal fins P. arnoulti, which
are rounded.
Diet: Terrestrial and aquatic insects.
Mortality/Longevity: Preyed upon mostly by
birds, dragonfly nymphs and other predatory
insects as well as piscivorous fishes.
Conservation Status: Because of its wide
distribution, this species presently faces
no threats from competitors or introduced
predators. Habitat loss threatens northern
population. Classified as Vulnerable by IUCN.
Remarks: Named after Patricia Yazgi,
recognizing her support of ongoing efforts to
document and conserve Malagasy freshwater
fishes.
The genus Pachypanchax, which currently has 6
described species, is endemic to Madagascar.
Golden Topminnow
Fundulus chrysotus (Fundulidae)
Topminnows and Killifishes
Distribution: River systems in the Gulf
drainage of southeastern U.S.
Habitat: Warm freshwater; also river mouths
and tidal rivers. Found in creeks, pools,
small to medium rivers, forested wetlands,
usually in areas of heavy submerged aquatic
vegetation.
Appearance: Small fish to 7.5 cm. Has flattened
head and back, upturned mouth, large eyes,
and no lateral line. Sides flecked with gold.
Diet: Insects or other aquatic invertebrates
captured near or at the surface.
Reproduction and Development: Eggs laid
sporadically over a period of a week or more
among the roots or stems of aquatic plants.
Spawning late spring through summer.
Remarks: Chrysotus means “golden ear,”
a reference to the golden color of the gill
covers.
California Academy of Sciences
121
Butterfly Splitfin aka Butterfly Goodeid
Ameca splendens (Goodeidae)
Goodeids
Distribution: Formerly in Central America.
Habitat: Was in freshwater to 2 m.
Appearance: Length: male to 8 cm, female to 12
cm. Males: silvery body, yellow vertical band
on edge of caudal fin; females more drab, with
small black dots on the sides:
Diet: Omnivorous, but require plant matter.
Reproduction and Development: Livebearers.
Fertilization internal. Part of the anal
fin of males is separate and used in mating. Fry
born with a primitive umbilical cord attached
that provided nourishment from the mother
during gestation. Cord drops off about 24
hours after birth.
Conservation Status: Probably extinct in
the wild (IUCN). The Steinhart maintains a
breeding colony.
Golden Topminnow
Fundulus chrysotus (Poeciliidae)
Poeciliids
Distribution: Found throughout Florida, along
the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina and the
Gulf Coast to Texas.
Habitat: Freshwater ponds, swamps, sluggish
creeks and backwaters with extensive aquatic
vegetation.
Appearance: The male caudal peduncle has
brown-orange blotches and stipples which
become more numerous at the caudal fin base.
The back has a dark, narrow pre-dorsal stripe.
Males have vertical bars and a scattering of red
dots on the sides and flecks of iridescent blue
or gold along the sides of the head and body.
The fins have brown spots and the caudal fin
is a faint tangerine color. Female bodies are
a greenish olive color with translucent fins.
Length: 2.5–5 cm.
Diet: A surface feeder on water beetles, insects
and aquatic invertebrates.
Reproduction and Development: Spawning
occurs in late spring through summer, with
pairs depositing their eggs on roots or stems
of floating plants. Eggs are extruded and
fertilized singly with 10 –20 eggs produced
over a period of a week or more.