Membras martinica
(Valenciennes 1835)
Family Atherinopsidae

Lateral view of a rough silverside
The rough silverside pictured above was collected from the Gulf of Mexico in 2016. It is now part of the Florida Museum ichthyology collection, UF 238456. Florida Museum photo by Zachary Randall

The rough silverside is a member of the New World silverside family. Its slender and elongate, with rough-edged scales and a long, beaklike snout. The anal fin has between 15 and 21 rays, and the first dorsal fin originates slightly in front of the anal fin’s origin. This fish has a well-developed sensory system of prominent pits and troughs, and a cross-hatching pattern outlining its scales. The rough silverside is a marine species that enters rivers, creeks and canals. It can also be found in lake habitats in the St. John’s River basin.

Status & distribution

  • Status — Marine invader
  • Florida Distribution — South Florida and the Atlantic Coast
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