Rough Silver side 333 



Color: Back pale green; sides and belly silvery; silvery 

 band along each side bordered above by a dark line; back 

 scales with many brown dots. Often the body has a distinct 

 yellow cast. 



Distribution: Occurs from Cape Cod to South Carolina. 

 Size: Reaches a length of about 3 inches. 

 General Information: The Tide-Water Silverside is found 

 in fresh, brackish, and salt water but is not common in 

 strictly salt water. It occurs in large schools in the pro- 

 tected waters of bays and estuaries, often among heavy 

 vegetation. Spawning takes place in spring and summer. 

 The eggs have sticky threads on their surface. Newly laid 

 eggs adhere by these threads to each other, the bottom 

 sand, vegetation, and other objects in the water. The Tide- 

 Water Silverside feeds on small crustaceans, shellfish, 

 worms, and other small animals, as well as seaweed. 

 Economic Importance: When fried crisp this fat little fish 

 can be eaten whole. It is considered a delicacy in some 

 areas, where it is marketed under the name "whitebait." 



Rough Silverside 

 Membras vagrans (Goode and Bean) 



Color: Back greenish; lower sides and belly silvery; sides 

 have broad silvery band bounded above with a dark line; 

 numerous dark spots on scales of back. 

 Distribution: New York to Mexico. 

 Size: Grows to a length of about 5 inches. 

 General Information: This species is most often found in 

 salt water but is sometimes taken in brackish water. It 

 frequently occurs together with the common silverside, 

 with which it is easily confused. Spawning takes place from 

 spring through summer. The Rough Silverside feeds on 

 small crustaceans and other small aquatic animals, fish 

 eggs, and seaweed. 



