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. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Silversides (Atherinopsidae)

Silverside silhouette.

Silversides are small, slender fishes that are widely distributed throughout the world. Connecticut silversides have a translucent body with a very silvery lateral stripe, abdominal region and head. The mouth is upturned, and there are two well-separated dorsal fins (one spiny, one soft). The front of the soft dorsal fin is behind the front of the anal fin, and pelvic fins are abdominal. The anal fin is longer than the bases of both dorsal fins, and there is a single weak anal spine. The lateral line is reduced or absent.

Two estuarine/marine species of silversides exist in Connecticut. Both are schooling fish that occasionally enter freshwater areas of coastal rivers and streams. 

Click on the species' names below to learn more.

Atlantic Silverside (Menidia menidia) - Native

12 cm Atlantic silverside.

 

Inland Silverside (Menidia beryllina) - Native

7 cm inland silverside.

 

Silversides are difficult to keep in home aquariums. They are highly active, constantly swimming near the top of the tank. They require larger tanks, live food such as amphipods or brine shrimp, and salinities of 10 to 30 parts per thousand.

 

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.