Silversides
Hardhead Silversides
Hardhead Silversides (Atherinomorus stipes)
| Name: | Silversides |
| Scientific Name: | Atherinidae, Clupeidae, Engraulidae |
| Family: | Silversides, Herrings, Anchovies |
| Taxonomic: | Atherinidae, Clupeidae, Engraulidae |
| ID Group: | Silvery Fishes |
| Size: | 1 - 3 in. |
| Depth Range: | In shallow waters (0 – 15 ft.) |
| Sightings: | Seen often |
Silversides have slender, silvery bodies, usually with a prominent lateral stripe running down each side. They have forked tails and large eyes. Juveniles and adults share the same general shape and coloration, but juveniles are often smaller and more translucent. Several different species look so similar that it is nearly impossible to tell them apart.
Silversides often form large, tight schools near sheltered spots like piers and shipwrecks. They also gather in bays, seagrass beds, and along beaches. By staying close together, they confuse predators and reduce the chance of being eaten. They feed on tiny plankton floating in the water and are an important food source for many larger reef fish and seabirds.