Atlantic silverside
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| Menidia menidia |
The Atlantic silverside, Menidia menidia, is one of the most common fish in the Chesapeake Bay. It is a common subject of scientific research because has a sensitivity to environmental changes.
The fish is about 15 cm long, mostly silver and white. It eats smaller (biotic) animals and plants – small crustaceans, algae, annelid worms, shrimp, zooplankton, copepods, amphipods, squid, shrimp, and insects.
The Atlantic silverside’s predators are larger predatory fish – striped bass, blue fish, rockfish – and most shore birds.
The abiotic factors the Atlantic silverside needs to survive are water, oxygen, and the right temperature (about 70°F / 21°C).
The Atlantic silverside’s habitat is a few feet away from the water’s edge. They are mostly found swimming in fresh, saltwater (brackish) where rivers and streams meet at sea, swimming among the underwater grass (bay grass). During winter, most Atlantic silversides swim in deep water (but not too deep) to avoid cold/low temperature. During the summer, most are found near the shore than water deeper than a few feet.
The Atlantic silverside’s defense is to hide in bay grass. They are also quick swimmers and their coloration of silver and a little white makes it hard to tell where they went when they swim away fast.
