Hi all,
I am a PhD student doing research on killifish, topminnows, and studfish (members of the Fundulus genus). I am trying to determine their minimum ADULT size because I am sexing museum specimens and don't want to inadvertently call a juvenile a female (since females and juveniles tend to look the same with museum specimens (museum specimens have no color on them)). I have looked in a lot of books and papers and can find information for all species except for 5. I need to know the minimum adult size (NOT their maximum length) of the following species:

1. Fundulus bifax (stippled studfish)

2. Fundulus cingulatus (banded topminnow)

3. Fundulus grandissimus (giant killifish)

4. Fundulus kansae (northern plains killifish)

5. Fundulus rubrifrons (lined topminnow)


I am hoping that someone (someones) on here might be able to help me- either through knowing of a book/paper/etc. that has this information or through first-hand experience raising these fish. I would GREATLY appreciate any and all help that I can get. Thank you!!



-Daniel

Daniel,

I will say for Fundulus cingulatus and rubrifrons between 1.25 and 1.5 inches would be the minimum size where they would sex out. I should also be able to tell you on kansae but I honestly don't remember. If I were to guess I would say at least 2 inches, but it has been many years since I have had them. I have a friend that may be able to help, I'll e-mail him.

John

Daniel,

I will say for Fundulus cingulatus and rubrifrons between 1.25 and 1.5 inches would be the minimum size where they would sex out. I should also be able to tell you on kansae but I honestly don't remember. If I were to guess I would say at least 2 inches, but it has been many years since I have had them. I have a friend that may be able to help, I'll e-mail him.

John

Thank you very much, John! Please let me know if you find out anything about kansae.

John, I forgot to ask... Are these sizes that you list Total Length or Standard Length? Thanks.