/top"min'oh/ , n. , pl. ( esp. collectively ) topminnow , ( esp. referring to two or more kinds or species ) topminnows .
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.
[ 1880-85, Amer. ; TOP 1 + MINNOW ]