Menidia beryllina

Menidia beryllina
Inland Silverside – Menidia beryllina
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
AtherinopsidaeMenidia beryllina(Cope)1867Inland Silverside

Menidia beryllina

Unique Characters: Spinous dorsal fin always anterior to origin of anal fin. Origin of spinous dorsal fin anterior to vertical through anus. Segmented anal-fin soft rays 8-19, rarely 20. Lateral scales 28-41, rarely 42 or 43. Anal fin margin strongly concave. Rostral sensory system absent, lacking pits, pores, or tubes. Lateral axillary scale of pelvic fin absent or poorly developed, less than or equal to 1/4 length of fin.

Similar Species:

Atlantic Silverside
Menidia menidia

Rough Silverside
Membras martinica

Menidia menidia
Atlantic Silverside – Menidia menidia
Membras martinica
Rough Silverside – Membras martinica

Atlantic Silverside Menidia menidia. Spinous dorsal fin always anterior to origin of anal fin. Origin of spinous dorsal fin posterior to vertical through anus. Segmented anal-fin soft rays 20-27, rarely 19. Lateral scales 39-47, rarely 38. Anal fin weakly concave. Rostral sensory system absent, lacking pits, pores, or tubes. Lateral axillary scale of pelvic fin absent or poorly developed, less than or equal to 1/4 length of fin.

Rough Silverside Membras martinica. Posterior margins of scales with scalloped edges, rough to the touch. Dorsum peppered with melanophores. Rostral sensory system present with four large depressions at anterior margin of frontal bones. Lateral axillary scale of pelvic fin well developed, greater than or equal to 1/3, usually greater than or equal to 1/2 length of fin. Origin of spinous dorsal fin anterior or posterior to anal-fin origin.

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