THE KILLIFISHES 



(Cyprinodontidae) 



The killifishes are small fishes that generally feed near the surface. 

 As a special adaptation their mouths are at the forward part of the 

 head and directed upward. Their heads are broad and flattened, 

 their bodies slender. Our species live in ponds, swamps and sluggish 

 streams, and in bays of the Great Lakes. 



Western Banded Killifish 

 (Fundulus diapbanus menona) 



Appearance. A slender minnowlike fish with the typical mouth 

 opening at the top of the head. It is a pale, washed-out olive green 

 along the back, and along the silver sides there are fifteen or more 

 vertical dark olive bars. The belly is white. The bars along the sides 

 of the male may be wider than the silvery spaces between; the gill 

 covers are emerald green. The bodies of breeding males are 

 sprinkled with dark spots. 



Size. Adult length, 72 mm. 



Habitat. Among the rushes and grasses of clean, sand-bottomed 

 shallows of the Great Lakes and tributary waters. 



Breeding Habits. The eggs are deposited along the vegetation 

 in shallow water and are seemingly unwatched. 



Food. Insects, small crustaceans, snails, small seeds and algae. 



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