Small, moderately deep bodied fish with a single dorsal fin and rounded tail. Mouth is very small and very upturned (superior). Silver to Blue coloring with dark spots that appear to form horizontal stripes on body and on dorsal fin. Male dorsal fin is much larger (sail-like) than female dorsal fin. Males dorsal fin may also have a yellow to orange margin.
Average Maximum Size:
8.89 cm (3.5 in)
Adults Distinguishing Characteristics:
The small body size, highly upturned mouth, and horizontal dot pattern differentiate this from other species in our area.
Juveniles Distinguishing Characteristics:
Range:
North Carolina to Yucatan
Habitat:
Found in shallow surface waters along the edges of marshes, lowland streams, ponds, swamps, estuaries and even ephemeral water bodies such as roadside ditches. Rarely seen in trawls, and more likely seen in minnow traps, seines, or cast nets.
