Freshwater Fishes of Texas: A Field Guide

Silversides—Family Atherinidae

110 Brook Silverside Labidesthes sicculus (Cope, 1865) RANGE: Brazos River basin north and east to portions of the Red and Sabine river basins. HABITAT: Open surface water of lakes, ponds, rivers, and creeks in pools. CHARACTERISTICS: (1) Snout long and beaklike. (2) Head long and flattened dorsally. (3) Dorsal and upper lateral region scales lightly pigmented. (4) Silver midlateral stripe. (5) First dorsal fin, 4–5 flexible spines; second dorsal fin, 1 flexible spine. (6) Anal fin, 1 flexible spine. (7) Pelvic fins, 1 flexible spine. (8) Lateral line absent; 74–87 lateral series scales. (9) Caudal fin forked. DIMENSIONS: Up to 5 in (127 mm). FIN COUNTS: Anal soft fin rays 21–27; dorsal soft fin rays 10–11; pectoral soft fin rays 12–15; pelvic soft fin rays 5. COLORATION: Dorsal region pale green; lateral region silvery with silver midlateral stripe; ventral region silver-white. The scale edges of the dorsal and upper lateral regions are outlined with melanophores. COMMENTS: The brook silverside can be distinguished from the inland silverside and rough silverside by its smaller scales, larger lateral series count (74–87 versus 34–48 scales for the inland silverside and rough silverside ), a pointed snout as compared to a more rounded snout on the inland silverside and rough silverside, and smooth scales versus the rough scales (ctenoid scales) on the rough silverside . Silversides—Family Atherinidae Brook silverside, Labidesthes sicculus , 4.6 in (117 mm) 111 Inland Silverside Menidia beryllina (Cope, 1867) RANGE: Statewide. HABITAT: Coastal rivers, creeks, and reservoirs as a result of introductions . CHARACTERISTICS: (1) Snout short and rounded. (2) Head long and flat dorsally. (3) Scales of dorsal and upper lateral region outlined with melanophores . (4) Silver midlateral stripe. (5) First dorsal fin, 4–5 flexible spines; second dorsal fin, 1 flexible spine. (6) Pelvic fins, 1 flexible spine. (7) Anal fin, 1 flexible spine. (8) Lateral line absent; 34–44 lateral series scales. (9) Caudal fin forked. DIMENSIONS: Up to 6 in (152 mm). FIN COUNTS: Anal soft fin rays 14–21; dorsal soft fin rays 8–9; pectoral soft fin rays 13–15; pelvic soft fin rays 5. COLORATION: Dorsal region pale green; lateral region with silver midlateral stripe; ventral region silvery white. Melanophores on scale edges of dorsal and upper lateral regions. COMMENTS: See comments for brook silverside. The inland silverside can be distinguished from the rough silverside by its smooth, cycloid versus rough scales; the ctenoid scales of the rough silverside, with dorsal and upper lateral region scale edges darkly pigmented as opposed to the rough silverside’s having only light scale pigmentation on dorsal and upper lateral regions and four rows of dark spots on the dorsal region; and lack of scales covering the bases of the dorsal and anal fins as opposed to scales covering the bases of dorsal and anal fins of the rough silverside. Silversides—Family Atherinidae Inland silverside, Menidia beryllina, 5.3 in (135 mm) 11 Rough Silverside Membras martinica (valenciennes, 1835) RANGE: Coastal areas as well as Amistad, Falcon, and Canyon Lake reservoirs due to introductions. HABITAT: Deep, saline portions of bays and coastal waters. CHARACTERISTICS: (1) Snout short and rounded. (2) Dorsal region with 4 rows black spots. (3) Dorsal fin base covered with scales. (4) Silver midlateral stripe. (5) Scales rough due to ctenoid scales; roughness may not be easily notable. (6) First dorsal fin, 5 flexible spines; second dorsal fin, 1 flexible spine. (7) Anal fin, 1 flexible spine. (8) Lateral line absent; 43–48 lateral series scales. (9) Anal fin base covered with scales. (10) Posterior margin of caudal fin dark; may not be notable. DIMENSIONS: Up to 3.5 in (89 mm). FIN COUNTS: Anal soft fin rays 14–21; dorsal soft fin rays 7. COLORATION: Dorsal region pale green with four rows of black spots; lateral region silvery with bright silver midlateral stripe; ventral region silvery white. COMMENTS: See comments for inland silverside and brook silverside. Silversides—Family Atherinidae Rough silverside, Membras martinica, 3.3 in (84 mm) ...