Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus heteroclitus) fish species and information / pictures of Mummichog - Fundulus heteroclitus heteroclitus

Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus heteroclitus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Fundulus heteroclitus heteroclitus

Common Name
Mummichog

Biology
A resident intertidal species with homing behavior (Ref. 32612). Mainly found in saltwater marshes and in tidal creeks. May leave tide pools if aquatic conditions become inhospitable (Ref. 31184). Enters fresh water to limited extent (Ref. 7251). Not a seasonal killifish. Breathes air when out of water (Ref. 31184). Difficult to maintain in aquariums (Ref. 27139). Its introduction has caused the decline of native species and near extinction of Aphanius baeticus in southwestern Spain (Ref. 59043).

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1766

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Live bearers, Killifishes and Rivulines (Cyprinodontiformes)

Family

Topminnows and killifishes (Fundulidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: Canada (Ref. 5951) to Sandy Hook, New Jersey to northeastern Florida, and in lower Chesapeake and Delaware bays (Ref. 35624). Introduced to southern Portugal and southern Spain (Ref. 59043).

Range

52°N - 28°N, 82°W - 57°W

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

10 °C

Water Temperature To

24 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Marine; freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; non-migratory

Trophic Level

3.59 s.e. 0.48 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

15.0 cm

Common Length

8.9 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: ; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (16 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated