Menidia beryllina
(Cope 1867)
Family Atherinopsidae
The inland silverside is a member of the New World silverside family. Its first dorsal fin originates far in front of the anal fin’s origin, and this species lacks a lateral line. It has a sickle-shaped anal fin. Inland silversides can be found in lakes and quiet areas of streams, usually swimming in schools at the surface.
Status & distribution
- Status — Native freshwater
- Florida Distribution — Western and North Central and Peninsula drainages
- River Drainages — Perdido River, Escambia River, Blackwater River, Choctawhatchee River, Econfina Creek, Apalachicola River, minor Gulf tributaries, Withlacoochee River, Tampa Bay, Lake Okeechobee, Caloosahatchee River, the Everglades, Indian River, the Tolomato or Matanzas River and the St. John’s River