Scientific Name
Menidia extensa

Common Name
Waccamaw silverside

Biology
Usually occur in large schools near surface in open water, over dark sandy bottom. Well adapted to a life of heavy predation. Frequent skipping over the water surface is observed apparently in avoidance of predators.

Classification

Classified By

Hubbs & Raney, 1946

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Silversides (Atheriniformes)

Family

Neotropical silversides (Atherinopsidae)

Distribution

Region

North America

Distribution

North America: occurs only in the Lake Waccamaw in North Carolina, USA.

Range

35°N - 34°N

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

pelagic

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 6.6 - 6.8 pelagic

Trophic Level

3.11 s.e. 0.41 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

8.0 cm

Common Length

4.8 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5078 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; bait: usually

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (10 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=1.04-1.36; tmax=3)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Vulnerable (VU)(D2)