Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Atlantic Silverside (Menidia menidia) - Native

12 cm Atlantic silverside.

A 5-inch Atlantic silverside, a marine species that seldom enters completely fresh water.

Identification. Similar to the inland silverside, but with a longer anal fin (22-25 rays) and smaller scales (20 scales along the sides before the dorsal fin).

9 cm Atlantic silverside.

Smaller Atlantic silversides, such as this 3.5-incher, aren't quite as bright as the adults.

Size. Commonly 3 to 4 inches. State survey max. size 7 inches. Max. reported size elsewhere 5.9 inches.

Distribution. Common on the Atlantic Coast from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to northern Florida. Atlantic silversides are found along the entire Connecticut coastline, where they are typically very abundant.

Atlantic silverside distribution map.

All maps created in 2009. See CT DEEP Fish Community Data for updated distributions.

Habits. Prefer a sandy bottom or grass beds in shallow water of estuaries and tidal creek mouths. Rarely move upstream into completely fresh water. Typically found in large schools, which flash brightly in unison when disturbed. Can be caught with a small-mesh dip net or seine.

Comments. Their abundance makes them very important forage fish for many marine predators, such as striped bass, fluke and seabirds.

 

Text and images adapted from Jacobs, R. P., O'Donnell, E. B., and Connecticut DEEP. (2009). A Pictorial Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Connecticut. Hartford, CT. Available for purchase at the DEEP Store.