topminnow

American  

[top-min-oh] / ˈtɒpˌmɪn oʊ /

noun

plural

topminnow,

plural

topminnows

1. any of several small, surface-swimming fishes of the egg-laying family Cyprinodontidae and the live-bearing family Poeciliidae, some of which are used in mosquito control.

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topminnow British  

/ ˈtɒpˌmɪnəʊ /

noun

1. any of various small American freshwater cyprinodont fishes that are either viviparous (genera Heterandria, Gambusia, etc) or egg-laying (genus Fundulus )

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Etymology

Origin of topminnow

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; top ¹ + minnow

Example Sentences

One of its champions is biologist Pat Rakes, who researched the Barrens topminnow for his master’s degree thesis at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and now co-directs the nonprofit Conservation Fisheries.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 21, 2022

“They eat all the topminnows’ eggs, all their larvae, and they harass the Barrens topminnow — even though the Barrens topminnow is bigger — and nip their fins off,” Rakes said.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 21, 2022

The struggle to save the Barrens topminnow is bigger than just one little fish, Kuhajda said.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 21, 2022

But they've now reintroduced the Gila topminnow and are watching greenery come back, as well as myriad species of dragonflies.

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2021

They aren't necessarily the rarest, but they sound the best: Yaqui topminnow.

From Salon • Jan. 21, 2020