Pike Livebearer/Top Minnow - (Belonesox belizanus)

🐟 Pike Livebearer / Top Minnow – (Belonesox belizanus) – Predatory Livebearing Fish for Sale

The Pike Livebearer (Belonesox belizanus), also known as the Pike Top Minnow, is a unique livebearing fish native to Central America. Unlike most peaceful livebearers, this species is a specialized predator with a long, slender body and an elongated jaw full of sharp teeth, giving it the appearance of a miniature pike.

Fast, agile, and stealthy, Pike Livebearers feed primarily on live prey, making them a fascinating choice for aquarists interested in unusual fish behavior. They require spacious aquariums, excellent water quality, and carefully chosen tankmates that are too large to be eaten.

🔎 Quick Facts – Pike Livebearer (Belonesox belizanus)

• 📛 Common Names: Pike Livebearer, Pike Top Minnow
• 🔬 Scientific Name: Belonesox belizanus
• 🌍 Origin: Central America – Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras
• 🎨 Appearance: Long, torpedo-shaped body, silvery-gray to olive coloration, large mouth with sharp teeth
• 📏 Max Size: 6–8 inches (15–20 cm)
• 💎 Availability: Occasionally available, wild-caught and tank-bred

😇 Behavior & Temperament

• ⚠️ Predatory – will eat smaller fish and invertebrates
• 🐟 Best kept alone or with large, fast, non-aggressive tankmates
• 🌊 Active mid-to-surface swimmer
• 🧠 Ambush hunter with quick strike feeding behavior

🏠 Aquarium & Tank Requirements

• 📦 Minimum Tank Size: 40+ gallons for a single specimen
• 🌿 Open swimming space with some floating plants for cover
• 🪵 Smooth driftwood or decor to prevent injury
• 💡 Moderate lighting
• 🌊 Strong filtration with clean, well-oxygenated water

💧 Water Parameters – Pike Livebearer Care

• 🌡️ Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
• ⚗️ pH: 7.0–8.0
• 💧 Hardness: Moderately hard to hard water

🍽️ Diet – Carnivorous Livebearer

• 🐟 Live feeder fish (safely quarantined)
• 🦐 Live shrimp, worms, and insects
• 🪱 May accept frozen foods such as silversides and bloodworms over time
• ⚠️ Rarely accepts dry prepared foods

📋 Pike Livebearer Care Overview Table

✨ Highlight:

• The Pike Livebearer is a rare, predatory livebearer with fascinating hunting behavior, perfect for aquarists seeking something truly different from the typical guppy or molly.