The Silversides 



The genus Eslopsarum is close to Chirostoma, differing only in 

 the larger scales. Only 2 species are known, both from fresh waters 

 of Mexico. 



The true silversides (Menidia) are numerous as to species, there 

 being about a dozen or more in our waters. 



They are all of small size, some entering or dwelling in fresh 

 waters, and all of some little value as food. 



The more common species enter largely into the aggregation 

 of species known as whitebait. 



The genus Labidesthes contains one species, L. sicculus, a small 

 transparent fish, known as the lake silverside or skipjack, which is 

 abundant in most of the Great Lakes and the small lakes of the 

 upper Mississippi Valley. 



In some lakes it is exceedingly abundant, swimming in immense 

 schools at the surface near the shore, or, on occasion, far out in the 

 lake. Late in the fall, even after ice has begun to form around the 

 edges of the lake, these little fishes come in immense schools along 

 the shores where they may be seen swimming slowly about on quiet 

 sunny days. They are easily frightened and the least disturbance 

 causes them to skurry in all directions, many of them skipping over 

 the surface of the water. Large schools may often be seen moving 

 slowly about under the ice in shallow water. Sometimes a strong 

 wind will drive or wash them on shore where large numbers perish. 

 It is a very graceful little fish, reaching 3 to 4 inches in length. 



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