This streamlined, beak-mouthed, saber-toothed species has been in the hobby for nearly 100 years. One of the livebearers “with character,” it is undoubtedly a species for the specialist who likes something a little different. Two subspecies are sometimes recognized: B. b. belizanus and B. b. maxillosus (Yellow Pike Top Livebearer) from the Yucatan in Mexico. Some authorities doubt the validity of the second subspecies, however.
Other common names
- Pike Top Minnow/Killifish
Family
- Poeciliidae
Subfamily
- Poeciliinae
Distribution
- B. b. belizanus found from Veracruz (Mexico) south to Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; B. b. maxillosus in the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico).
Size
- Males up to 4 3/4in (12cm); females 8in (20cm).
Behavior
- Predatory; must be housed only with similar- sized tankmates; large females may even prey on small males of their own species.
Diet
- Livefoods, deep-frozen, and freeze-dried diets. Aquarium: Spacious, covered, well planted tank, with some shelters. Water should be well filtered, neutral to alkaline hard, with 1 teaspoonful of aquarium salt per 2 Imp. gal (2 2/5 U.S. gal/9-10 I) added. Temperature range: 79-86 F (26-30 C) or slightly higher.
Breeding
- Up to 100 large fry (up to 1in/2.5cm) produced every 4 1/-7 weeks, following internal fertilization.
