Banded killifish

Characteristics

body is light olive on the back and sides and yellow-white below with 12 - 20 narrow vertical bars on the body

Distribution

natural lakes in Dickinson county and in the Missouri River

Foods

aquatic and terrestrial insects, planktonic crustacea, plant seeds, and fine algae material

State Record

2+ inches

Expert Tip

Details

The banded killifish is found only in northwest Iowa. It has been collected from several lakes in Dickinson County and has been documented in the Missouri River. Its preferred habitat seems to be natural lakes that contain extensive amounts of aquatic vegetation.

The banded killifish is a slender-bodied and laterally compressed topminnow. The snout is bluntly pointed, and the mouth is small, slanted and opens dorsally. It has a projecting lower jaw with very small teeth that are positioned in bands on both jaws. The dorsal fin is far posterior on the back, originating in advance of the anal fin, and has 10 to 13 rays. The anal fin has 9 to ll rays, pelvic fin 6 rays, and the caudal fin is rounded. A lateral line is absent, and there are 39 to 43 cycloid scales in the lateral series. The body is light olive on the back and sides and yellow-white below. There are usually 12 to 20 narrow vertical bars on the body. Adults average 2 inches or more in length.

The banded killifish usually school in groups of few to many, cruising just below the surface of weedy lakes. It feeds on a variety of items, such as aquatic and terrestrial insects, planktonic crustacea, plant seeds and fine algae material. Spawning occurs in late spring and early summer. The male courts, then selects a female. Eggs are released in clusters, fertilized and quickly develop a filament that adheres to the aquatic vegetation.

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