Sheepshead Minnow 305 



Sheepshead Minnow, Broad Killifish 

 Cyprinodon variegatus Lacepede 



Color: Adult females: back and sides brassy olive; belly 

 white or yellowish; irregular black vertical bars on sides; a 

 black spot on the rear part of the dorsal fin. Adult males: 

 back and sides darker than in females; bars on body faint; 

 dorsal spot lacking. Young of both sexes have markings of 

 adult female. 



Distribution: Cape Cod to Mexico. 

 Size: Maximum length about 3 inches. 



General Information: Found in small schools in the shal- 

 low brackish waters of salt marshes, bays, and harbors 

 where there is abundant vegetation. Spawning occurs from 

 April to September. Only a few eggs are laid at a time by 

 a single female, and this same fish will continue to lay a 

 few eggs at various intervals throughout the spawning 

 season. Newly laid eggs have numerous sticky threads on 

 their surface with which they become attached to sur- 

 rounding objects and to each other. The Sheepshead Min- 

 now feeds on a wide variety of small aquatic plant and 

 animal forms. 



Economic Importance: Probably an important food for 

 larger fishes in some regions. It is a hardy species suitable 

 for brackish-water aquaria. Under favorable conditions it 

 will spawn in aquaria and the young can be reared. 



