Belonesox belizanus
Kner 1860
Family Poeciliidae

Lateral view of pike killifish
The photo above shows a male, top, and a female, bottom, pike killifish. These fish are now part of the Florida Museum ichthyology collection, UF 186998. Florida Museum photo by Zachary Randall

The pike killifish is a member of the livebearer family. These fish have elongate, cylindrical bodies that taper and compress posteriorly. Pike killifish have a pointed snout and long jaws, with conspicuous pointed teeth and a protruding lower jaw. The curvature of the jaws prevents the complete closure of the mouth. There are between two and six irregular rows of conspicuous to indistinct black spots along the side body. Pike killifish can be found in estuaries and sluggish freshwater streams, canals, ditches and water holes in wetlands with floating or submerged vegetation and woody debris.

Status & distribution

  • Status — Non-indigenous freshwater
  • Florida Distribution — Peninsula drainages
  • River Drainages — Tampa Bay and the Everglades
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