Fundulus escambiae
(Bollman 1887)
Family Fundulidae
The russetfin topminnow is a member of the topminnow family. It has a blue-black bar under the eye, and males have dusky bars of nearly uniform width on the side of the body. These bars extend forward only to between the pectoral and pelvic fins, and below only to the lowest row of spots. The body is yellow-green with rows of bright red spots on the side. Females lack dark dashes and specks between the rows of red spots on the side body. The russetfin topminnow can be found in swamps, and in quiet pools and backwaters of creeks and small rivers. They’re usually found at the surface, near vegetation.
Status & distribution
- Status — Native freshwater
- Florida Distribution — Western and North Central drainages
- River Drainages — Perdido River, Escambia River, Blackwater River, Yellow River, Choctawhatchee River, Econfina Creek, Apalachicola River, Ochlockonee River, minor Gulf tributaries and the Suwannee River