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