Mummichog

Fundulus heteroclitus

 

https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6031/6338785547_a6ee873cdf_z.jpg

 

• Distinguishing characteristics:  Females are dark green on their back with 12-15 bars.  Males are olive colored on top with a yellow belly and spots.  In the picture above, the top fish is a female and the bottom fish is a male.

 

In the Wild

• Habitat:  Found in coastal waters and rivers.  Often found in marshes.  Can tolerate large temperature and salinity ranges.
• Diet:  Crustaceans, worms, insects, fish
• Predators:  Many predatory fish.
• Size:  Up to about 5 inches long.
• Breeding:  Mummichogs mature at 1 year and breed during spring tides in the spring and summer.  Female can have 460-800 eggs.
• Life Span:  3 years

 

 

In the Aquatics Lab

• Diet:  brine shrimp and/or small pieces of squid
• Size:  2-4 inches long
• Quantity:  20+

 

 

Other information

• Virginia Regulations:  none
• Commercial Uses:  Mummichogs are sold and used as bait.

 

 

Murdy, E.O., and J.A. Musick.  Field Guide to Fishes of the Chespeake Bay.  2013.  The Johns Hopkins University Press. Baltimore, MD.