Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: TOPMINNOW, GOLDEN

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: OSTEICHTHYES

Order: ATHERINIFORMES

Family: CYPRINODONTIDAE

Genus: FUNDULUS

Species: CHRYSOTUS

Taxonomic Authority: (GUNTHER)

Taxonomy References: 002

Status

NONGAME
STATE RANK S1
GLOBAL RANK G5

Status References: 006 , 009

Habitat Summary

"Inhabits pools and backwaters of streams with clear quiet water and abundant submergent vegetation."

Primary Habitat: "Undetermined"

References: 001 , 005

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Only 5 specimens collected from 2 localities more than 25 years ago. Is considered extirpated *06*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
No County Data Found

References for distribution: 001 , 005 , 006

Distribution by Watersheds

Comments: "Possibly extirpated *05*"

Distribution by Ecoregions

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Riverine

Aquatic Associations:

"Riverine, unknown perennial"
"Riverine, unknown perennial", "Aquatic bed, floating vascular"

References for Aquatic Associations: 001 , 005 , 008

Habitat Types:

Permanent Stream

References for Habitat Types: 001 , 005

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits

Adult Food Habits

Coleoptera (beetles); Larva stage
Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies); Larva stage
Hemiptera (water bugs, water boatmen, stink bugs); Not Specified
Aquatic Insects; Not Specified
Snails; Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified
Ephemeroptera (mayflies); Not Specified
Coleoptera (beetles); Adult Stage
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Adult Stage

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 004

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements: 008

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements: 008

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

Aquatic vegetation
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: backwaters
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: pools

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 008

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Aquatic vegetation
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 008

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Aquatic vegetation
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: backwaters
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: pools

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 001

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Aquatic vegetation
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: backwaters
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: pools

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 001 , 003

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Aquatic vegetation
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: backwaters
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: pools

References for resting adult niche requirements: 001 , 003

Niche Requirement Summary

Aquatic vegetation
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Inland wetlands: backwaters
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Natural features: pools
Water level: permanently flooded

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
012 In aquarium, has been observed depositing eggs on submerged plants, stones, and side of aquarium *07* presumably spawn on swift riffles *01*
004 Are planktivorous (but not filtering) *04*

Life History Information

Origin in state: native
Foraging strategy specified in comments(004)
Foraging sites: water
Spawning site specified in comments(012)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
012 In aquarium, has been observed depositing eggs on submerged plants, stones, and side of aquarium *07* presumably spawn on swift riffles *01*
004 Are planktivorous (but not filtering) *04*

References for life history: 001 , 007

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Beneficial Management References:

Adverse Managment Practices:

Adverse Management References:

Comments on Management:

References for Management Comments:

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Pflieger, W.L. 1997. The Fishes Of Missouri, Revised Edition. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 372 Pp.
002 Nelson, Joseph S., Edwin J. Crossman, Héctor Espinosa-Pérez, Lloyd T. Findley, Carter R. Gilbert, Robert N. Lea, and James D. Williams. 2004. Common And Scientific Names Of Fishes From The United States, Canada and Mexico (6th Ed.). Amer. Fish Soc. Spec. Publ. No. 29. 386 pp.
003 Unpb Pflieger, W.L. The Stream Resources Of Missouri. D-J Project F-1-R-28. Study S-20. Mo Dept. Of Conserv. 1110 S. College Ave. Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-882-9880).
004 Hunt, B.P. 1953. Food Relationships Between Florida Spotted Gar And Other Organisms In The Tamiami Canal, Dade County, Florida. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 82(1952):13-33.
005 Unpb Pflieger, W.L. Mo Dept. Of Conserv. 1110 S. College Ave. Columbia Mo 65201. (573-882-9880).
006 Rare And Endangered Species Checklist Of Missouri. 1995. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation Natural Heritage Database. Jefferson City, Mo. 31 Pp.
007 Leitholf, E. 1917. Fundulus Chrysotus. Aquatic Life 2(11):40,57. Cited In Ref. 01.
008 Conrow, R., A.V. Zale and R.W. Gregory. 1990. Distributions And Abundances Of Early Life Stages Of Fishes In A Florida Lake Dominated By Aquatic Macrophytes. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 119:521-528.
009 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.