TAXONOMY

CLASS   Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)

ORDER    Atheriniformes (Silversides)

FAMILY    Atherinopsidae (Neotropical silversides

GENUS/SPECIES    Atherinops affinis

GENERAL CHACTERISTICS

Blue gray to green above, silvery below; a striking silver band bordered above with blue extends the full length of the body.

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT

Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic..  Eastern Pacific: Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada to Baja California, Mexico and the Gulf of California. Subtropical; 55°N – 23°N.Common in bays, muddy and rocky areas and kelp beds, also in estuaries forming schools.

 DIET:

 A.  affinis adults feed on zooplankton while juveniles feed on algae and kelp fly larvae.

REPRODUCTION: 

Demersal spawner in nearshore habitats. Oviparous, with planktonic, primarily neustonic larvae  Eggs are attached to spawning substrate and to one another by adhesive filaments

PREDATORS

Other fishes, birds and people.

REMARKS

Called “topsmelt” for their habit of swimming up near the surface and schooling near shore.

LOCATION

Salt Marsh Pop-up CC03

flickr;  http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157625063185432/

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