Hardhead silverside
(Atherinomorus stipes)
Image source: ihunta | inaturalist.org
General data
Atherinomorus stipes is a small slender fish with cycloid (rounded) scales, measuring 10cm in length for both males and females. The dorsal surface is a translucent green, with a prominent silver stripe along the lateral line.
The mouth is oblique, with small teeth which are present on both jaws. The eyes are very large and the head is wider than the body. There are two dorsal fins, the first having 4-5 spines and the second a single anterior spine; a pelvic fin with a single spine with 5 soft rays; an anal fin which has a single anterior spine; and a forked caudal fin. In adults, the tip of the caudal fin is black.
Hardhead silverside is normally seen swimming in shallow areas of the western Atlantic Ocean, mainly in the waters from Bermuda and the southern portion of
Florida to Brazil. Found in areas of equatorial climate. They remain in shallow areas, mainly waters which are under 10 m deep, and they are mainly seen swimming in large schools ranging in the thousands. Found in seagrass meadows, patch reefs and fringing reefs, they tend to remain close to the surface.
Atherinomorus stipes is referred to as being omnivorous as they feed on zooplankton, pelagic fish larvae and pelagic fish eggs and they do so during the day.
