Mummichog

Range/Geographical Distribution: The Gulf of Saint Lawrence south to northeast Florida.

Habitat: Saltwater marshes and tidal creeks, also will enter fresh water. 

Description: A small sexually dimorphic fish.  Males are olive above and lighter below with vertical stripes on their sides.  Females are silver/yellow and lack stripes. 

Size: Can reach five inches in length.

Food: Omnivore; feeds on plants, crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish.

Breeding:  Spawn in the summer during the new and full moon.  Eggs sink and stick to shells and plant matter.  Fry hatch in nine to 18 days and resemble adults.

Predators:  Larger predatory fishes, herons, egrets, and gulls. 

Conservation Status: No legal status.

Interesting Facts: The mummichog is often used as bait and for experimentation due to its hardiness.

On the Coast: Mummichogs are an important food fish for coastal Georgia’s larger fish, wading birds, and sea birds.  These fish are also an indicator species in polluted water ways.