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Miller's silverside (Atherinella milleri) — Atherinopsidae

Miller's silverside

Atherinella milleri

The Miller's silverside (Atherinella milleri) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Atherinopsidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.5 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras

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Description

The Miller's silverside is a silverside (Atherinopsidae) from shallow coastal, estuarine and fresh water of the coast of Central America. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender, translucent body with a shiny silver stripe along the flank and a slightly superior mouth. As a social schooling fish it swims in the upper layer and snaps at small zooplankton, insect larvae and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Miller's silverside?

The Miller's silverside has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Miller's silverside live?

The Miller's silverside lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around open water. North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras

How big does the Miller's silverside get?

The Miller's silverside grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Miller's silverside dangerous to humans?

No, the Miller's silverside is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
Miller's silverside sourced
Scientific name
Atherinella milleri
Family
Atherinopsidae
Other names
Silverside sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Atherinella

More from the family Atherinopsidae

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