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Photo credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission |
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| Saltmarsh topminnows have a guppy-like body shape and fin positions. They have little color, but there is cross-hatching on the back and sides that may be gray-green or fainter. Saltmarsh topminnows often have 12 to 30 dark round spots arranged in rows along the midside of the body, from above the pectoral fin to the base of the caudal (tail) fin. There is little difference between the sexes other than longer median fin length in males, a lemon-yellow color that develops on male anal fins, and a sheath found on the anterior base of the anal fin of mature females. This sheath is used to help position eggs during spawning (Thompson 1980, 1999). |
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| Learn More... |
- Conservation Notes: This section includes information on threats to this species, its importance to humans and estuaries and how you can help to protect this species
- Profile: This section includes biological and life history information such as the species description, relatives, size/weight, diet, reproduction information, habitat and range.
- References: This section includes the list of articles and books cited in the information about the species.
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Did you know? The saltmarsh topminnow's maxillary bone (upper jaw) is twisted, instead of being straight. |
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Type: Fish |
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Diet: Small invertebrates |
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Average lifespan in the wild: 2 -3 years |
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Size: 1.75 inches (maximum) |
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Weight: 1 oz (maximum) |
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Found in the following Estuarine Reserves: Weeks Bay (AL) and Grand Bay (MS) |
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Water quality factors needed for survival: Find details about water temperature, turbidity, water flow, salinity, dissolved oxygen at this link. |
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Threats: |
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- Coastal and marsh erosion
- Dredging Habitat alteration
- Habitat alteration
- Hurricane damage
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Click map for larger image |
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