Fundulus lineolatus
(Agassiz 1854)
Family Fundulidae

Lateral view of lined topminnows
The photo above shows a male, top, and female, bottom, lined topminnow. These fish were collected in Marion County, Florida in 2014. They are now part of the Florida Museum ichthyology collection, UF 235820. Florida Museum photo by Zachary Randall

The lined topminnow is a member of the topminnow family. It has a a small blue-black bar under the eye, and males have between 11 and 15 dark green to black bars. Females have black stripes on the side of the body. There are between 16 and 19 – although typically 16 – scales around the caudal peduncle. Lined topminnows can be found in lakes, ponds and quiet pools and backwaters of streams. They are usually at the surface, near vegetation.

Status & distribution

  • Status — Native freshwater
  • Florida Distribution — Western and North Central and Peninsula drainages
  • River Drainages — Ochlockonee River, minor Gulf tributaries, Suwannee River, Withlacoochee River, Tampa Bay, Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades, Indian River, the Tolomato or Matanzas River, St. John’s River and the St. Mary’s River
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