Freshwater · Saltwater Fish of Connecticut
Mudminnows & Silversides
Umbridae & Atherinopsidae
Also called: Atlantic Silverside, Central Mudminnow, Inland Silverside
Identification
Mudminnows have stout, mottled olive-brown bodies and rounded tails. Silversides are slender and partly translucent, with a bright silver side stripe, two separated dorsal fins, and forked tails.
Habitat
Central Mudminnows inhabit quiet freshwater areas with vegetation and soft bottoms. Atlantic and Inland Silversides use coastal and brackish waters and may enter freshwater portions of coastal waterways.
Behavior
Mudminnows stay near cover in slow water. Silversides are active schooling fish commonly found near the surface.
How to Catch
Body shape, tail shape, and the number of dorsal fins help distinguish these fish. Check collection and bait requirements before keeping them.
Notes
These are two separate fish families combined into one browsing entry. Central Mudminnow is a freshwater fish, not a saltwater species.