Gila topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis)

Scientific name: Poeciliopsis occidentalis Baird & Girard, 1853

Gila topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis)

The Gila topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 25–28°C (77–82°F).

Gila topminnow care at a glance

Temperature
25–28°C (77–82°F)

Biology

Formerly occurred from Frisco Hot Spring, New Mexico, to near the mouth of the Gila River: it was perhaps more widespread in spring-fed creeks and marshes of southern Arizona between 900 and 1500 m above sea level. Inhabits vegetated springs and margins, pools and backwaters of creeks and small to medium rivers. Usually found in shallow, warm water.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Poeciliopsis occidentalis
Family
Poeciliidae (Poeciliids)
Order
Cyprinodontiformes (Live bearers, Killifishes and Rivulines)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
6.0
Common length
3.5
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic; non-migratory
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
North America: in Gila River system in New Mexico and Arizona and streams south to western Mexico. Occurs naturally in the Colorado and Yaqui river basins at altitudes ranging from sea level to 1500 m. Note that high altitude occurrences are most commonly associated with outflows and springs.
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tmax=1)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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