Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae1
Family Atherinidae
Silversides Local species:
o Atlantic Silverside (Menidia menidia)
o Inland Silverside (Menidia beryllina)
Menidia beryllina
Grunion Spawning and Fertilized Eggs
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae3
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
Menidia beryllina
Menidia menidia
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae5
Schooling Behavior
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae6
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
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae7
Why do fish school?
Hydrodynamic efficiency
Increased efficiency in locating prey
Reproduction
Reduced predation risko Dilution effecto Confusion effect
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae8
Family Holocentridae
Squirrelfishes Common species:
o Squirrelfish (Holocentrus adscensionis)
o Blackbar Soldierfish (Myripristis jacobus)
Holocentrus adscensionis
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae9
Holocentridae Characteristics
Nocturnal, live on coral reefs and rocky shores
Frequent vocalizations used for communication Myripristis jacobus
Holocentridae Characteristics
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae11
Family Fistulariidae
Cornetfishes Local species:
o Red Cornetfish (Fistularia petimba)o Bluespotted Cornetfish (Fistularia tabacaria)
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae12
Fistulariidae Characteristics
Share many similar characteristics with the Aulostomids (Trumpetfishes)
Long snout with a large mouth at the endo Used as a pipette-slurp-gun to suck up prey
Found on reefs as lie and wait predatorso dorsal scutes, and lacks chin barbel
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae13
Family Aulostomidae
Trumpetfishes Local species
o Trumpetfish (Aulostomus maculatus)
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae14
Aulostomidae Characteristics
Rounded caudal fin, ctenoid scales, and barbels on the chin
Masters of disguise, approaches prey and feeds in manner similar to Fistulariids
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae15
Trumpetfish
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae16
Family Syngnathidae
Pipefishes and Seahorses
Local species:o Lined Seahorse
(Hippocampus erectus)
o Northern Pipefish (Syngnathus fuscus)
Australian Seadragon
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae19
Seahorses
Caudal fin is modified prehensile organ for gripping
Swim in upright fashion feeding on invertebrates (hydroid colonies)
Pipefishes
Atherinidae thru Syngnathidae21
Seahorse Reproduction
All Syngnathids are viviparouso 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