Download Family Atherinidae

Family Atherinidae
 Silversides
 Local species:
o Atlantic Silverside
(Menidia menidia)
o Inland Silverside
(Menidia beryllina)
Menidia beryllina
1
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae
Grunion Spawning and Fertilized Eggs
Family Atherinidae
 Elongate bodies with
very small terminal
mouths
 Large eyes, 2
separate dorsal fins
 Form schools inshore;
both marine and
freshwater
 The Waccamaw
silverside is endemic to
Lake Waccamaw and is
on the federal
endangered species list
3
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae
Menidia
menidia
Menidia
beryllina
Schooling Behavior
5
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae
How do fishes school?
 Most schooling fishes depend on vision for
group cohesion
o Evidence?
 Lateral line is integral in spacing and
coordinating synchronized movements
6
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae
Why do fish school?
 Hydrodynamic efficiency
 Increased efficiency in locating prey
 Reproduction
 Reduced predation risk
o Dilution effect
o Confusion effect
7
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae
Family Holocentridae
 Squirrelfishes
 Common species:
o Squirrelfish
(Holocentrus
adscensionis)
o Blackbar Soldierfish
(Myripristis jacobus)
Holocentrus adscensionis
8
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae
Holocentridae
Characteristics
 Nocturnal, live on coral
reefs and rocky shores
 Frequent vocalizations
used for communication
Myripristis jacobus
9
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae
Holocentridae Characteristics
Family Fistulariidae
 Cornetfishes
 Local species:
o Red Cornetfish (Fistularia petimba)
o Bluespotted Cornetfish (Fistularia tabacaria)
11
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae
Fistulariidae
Characteristics
 Share many similar characteristics with
the Aulostomids (Trumpetfishes)
 Long snout with a large mouth at the end
o Used as a pipette-slurp-gun to suck up prey
 Found on reefs as lie and wait predators
o dorsal scutes, and lacks chin barbel
12
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae
Family Aulostomidae
 Trumpetfishes
 Local species
o Trumpetfish
(Aulostomus
maculatus)
13
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae
Aulostomidae
Characteristics
 Rounded caudal fin,
ctenoid scales, and
barbels on the chin
 Masters of disguise,
approaches prey and
feeds in manner similar
to Fistulariids
14
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae
Trumpetfish
15
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae
Family Syngnathidae
 Pipefishes and
Seahorses
 Local species:
o Lined Seahorse
(Hippocampus erectus)
o Northern Pipefish
(Syngnathus fuscus)
16
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae
Australian Seadragon
Seahorses
 Caudal fin is modified
prehensile organ for gripping
 Swim in upright fashion
feeding on invertebrates
(hydroid colonies)
18
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae
Pipefishes
Seahorse Reproduction
 All Syngnathids are
viviparous
o Male seahorse has a brood
pouch on the underside of
the tail
o Female lays eggs in the
pouch where they incubate
o Young are expelled once they
are able to swim
20
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae