Fin's Fish Guide
The Inland silverside (Menidia beryllina) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Atherinopsidae that grows up to 15 cm.
Eastern and southern North America, in estuaries, lagoons, coastal water and fresh rivers and lakes; strongly euryhaline.
Description
The inland silverside is a slender, translucent silvery fish of the family Atherinopsidae (New World silversides) reaching about 15 cm. The streamlined body bears a conspicuous shiny silvery lengthwise band along the flank and has an upturned mouth. The species is extremely salt-tolerant and lives in estuaries, lagoons, coastal water and fresh rivers and lakes of eastern and southern North America. In large schools at the surface it hunts zooplankton, insect larvae and small crustaceans. In the warm months the threaded eggs attach to water plants. Through its great numbers it is an indispensable prey fish for countless larger fish and waterbirds and is used as bait.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Inland silverside?
The Inland silverside has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Slender, translucent silver small fish with a shiny silver longitudinal band along the flank; forms large shoals at the surface.
Where does the Inland silverside live?
The Inland silverside lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around open water. Eastern and southern North America, in estuaries, lagoons, coastal water and fresh rivers and lakes; strongly euryhaline.
How big does the Inland silverside get?
The Inland silverside grows to a maximum of about 15 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.
Is the Inland silverside dangerous to humans?
No, the Inland silverside is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Inland silverside edible?
The Inland silverside is not usually eaten.
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All data
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Status & sources
Same genus Menidia
More from the family Atherinopsidae
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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Inland silverside is one of 12,519 species in the app.