Specimens: 



This is a rare oceanic species. Bigelow and Schroecier (1953 b) 

 describe a five and a half foot lancetfish caught alive in the surf on 

 Block Island, March 12, 1928. It was reported by Elizabeth Dickens. 



Family Poeciliidae 

 Genus Fundulus 



(57) Fundulus heteroclitus (Linnaeus) 1766 



Common mummichog, killifish, killy, mud minnow, 

 mummy 

 Specimens: 



This species is very common in salt marshes, brackish water, 

 bays and inlets. Many specimens were captured throughout the 

 year in minnow traps. 



Economic Importance: 



It is utilized chiefly as a baitfish for summer flounder. 



(58) Fundulus majalis (Walbaum) 1792 

 Striped mummichog 



Specimens: 



This species is similar in characteristics to Fundulus heteroclitus. 

 It was observed by the writer in brackish waters at Watch Hill 

 and Weekapaug. 



(59) Fundulus diaphanus (LeSueur) 1817 

 Fresh-water killifish 



Specimens : 



This species is found in brackish water streams close to salt 

 water. Fforton found this species abundant in Pettaquamscutt 

 River, according to Fforton (1958). 



Genus Cyprinodon 



(60) Cyprinodon variegatus Lacepede 1803 

 Sheepshead minnow, broad killyfish 



Specimens: 



This southern species of minnow is very common in many of 

 Rhode Island's salt ponds. Specimens one to three inches (TL) were 



30 



