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Freshwater   Fishes

Pike killifish
(Belonesox belizanus)

Pike killifish

Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)

  • None

Names

Scientific name
Belonesox belizanus
Belonesox belizanus maxillosus
Belonesox maxillosus

Common name
Pike killifish
Pike livebearer
Pike Top Minnow
Topminnow
Hechtkärpfling (DE)

Origin

what are its countries of origin?

Origin: Central America (Nicaragua, Mexico)
Biotope: Non specific

Dimorphism

what are the physical differences between males and females?

The male is smaller than the female and has a gonopod.

Group

Group

Poeciliidae

Volume

what is the minimum volume for this species?

200 L / 44 Imp gal / 53 US gal

Parameters

what are the water parameters for the maintenance of this fish?

T°: 26 to 32°C or 79 to 89°F
pH: 7.5 to 8.2
Hardness: 20 to 30°dGH

Difficulty

Difficulty

Hard

Size

what is the maximum size of this fish?

Male: 12cm (4.7") -Female: 20cm (7.9")

Longevity

what is the average Longevity of this fish?

2 to 6 years

Living zone

in which area of the aquarium does this fish live?

Middle and Top

Individuals

sociability of the species

3 (harem)

Food

How to feed the Belonesox belizanus?

Food

How to feed the Belonesox belizanus?

This pike is a rather difficult carnivore to feed. Indeed, in most cases, it will only eat live fish such as Guppies or Southern platyfish (it needs 4 or 5 per day). However, young specimens can be accustomed to eating frozen food such as mud worms, Grindal worms, artemia, tubifex or krill.

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Belonesox belizanus have?

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Belonesox belizanus have?

Extremely aggressive, it is a formidable predator. In the wild it spends most of its time hiding to watch for prey. When it passes close by, the attack is dazzling and rarely missed.

It seems that the aggressive character of this fish becomes more and more accentuated as it ages.

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Belonesox belizanus?

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Belonesox belizanus?

This species is not at all suitable for community aquariums. It must imperatively be maintained in a specific aquarium. On the other hand, this pike can live in a group provided that the aquarium is large enough, well planted and that the fish are very well fed. If these conditions are not met, the Belonesox risk to devour each other (the male, smaller, is often the first to serve as a meal for the females...)! For a group, count at least 2-3 females for each male. Otherwise, maintenance in pairs is also possible.

Breeding

How to breed the Belonesox belizanus?

Breeding

How to breed the Belonesox belizanus?

It is quite easy to have reproductions of this fish. It is a viviparous: the eggs develop and hatch in the abdomen of the female. When they are born, the fry are already formed and autonomous.

Each reproduction of this species is frequent (once a month) and can give up to 100 young fish each time.

The parents devour their offspring. If you want to keep some, it will be imperative to isolate a full female in a separate aquarium (50-60 L / 11-13 Imp gal / 13-16 Us gal will be enough). The water will be brackish: add 1 tablespoon of salt for 10 L / 2.2 Imp gal / 2.7 Us gal of water. Remove the female after the birth of the fry.

At birth, the young are about 2 cm (0.8") long and grow slowly. Sexual maturity is reached at the age of 6 months. After one week, the fry should never be hungry. Indeed, it is from this young age that they can devour each other. If they are hungry, they will eat their brothers and sisters.

Fry food: zooplankton, mosquito larvae then small fish or frozen food in large quantities (Grindal worms, mud worms, artemia, krill, tubifex, artemia...).

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Belonesox belizanus?

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Belonesox belizanus?

The bigger and more planted the aquarium, the better. Thus, a couple will be maintained in an aquarium of 200 L / 44 Imp gal / 53 US gal minimum, and the more numerous the group, the bigger the aquarium will have to be. On the vegetal side, choose solid plants such as Giant Vallisnéries because they can withstand hard water. Complete your decor with some roots.

Good filtration is necessary to ensure good water quality. Opt for a flow rate of at least 3 times the volume of the aquarium in 1 hour.

On the parameters side, to obtain hard water, add a little salt (to be adjusted according to the parameters of your tap water).

Good To know

Find all additional information!

Good To know

Find all additional information!

Even if it is not really a pike, this nickname suits him very well so much its behavior and its physique are close to this great predator!

Belonesox belizanus are on the list of endangered species and are strictly protected.

This fish is difficult to maintain and should only be kept by experienced aquarists.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

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