Fundulidae | |
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Mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Cyprinodontiformes |
Family: |
Fundulidae D. S. Jordan & C. H. Gilbert, 1882 |
Genera | |
Adinia
Fundulus
Leptolucania
Lucania
Fundulidae is the family of topminnows and North American killifishes.
The 46 species are native to North America as far south as Yucatan, and to the islands of Bermuda and Cuba, occurring in both freshwater and marine environments.
Most members of the family are all small. While the giant killifish (Fundulus grandissimus) and northern studfish (Fundulus catenatus) can reach 20 cm (7.9 in) in length, most species are under 10 cm in length.
The distinguishing characteristic of the family is the maxillary bone, which is twisted instead of being straight.