Menidia extensa Hubbs & Raney, 1946
Waccamaw silverside

Family:  Atherinopsidae (Neotropical silversides), subfamily: Menidiinae
Max. size:  8 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 3 years
Environment:  pelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6.59999990463257 - 6.80000019073486
Distribution:  North America: occurs only in the Lake Waccamaw in North Carolina, USA.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-17; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 16-22; Vertebrae: 41-45. Silvery-white with black melanophores surrounding each scale on the dorsal two-thirds of the body. The dorsal half of the body is almost translucent.
Biology:  Usually occur in large schools near surface in open water, over dark sandy bottom (Ref. 35360). Well adapted to a life of heavy predation (Ref. 35360). Frequent skipping over the water surface is observed apparently in avoidance of predators (Ref. 35360).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 01 March 2012 (D2) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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