Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body somewhat deep; head small, dorsoventrally compressed; mouth small, oblique, nearly vertical; color yellowish to olive; dark spots form horizontal stripes on the sides; dorsal fin with rows of spots; caudal peduncle broad, caudal fin rounded, sometime with dark border; females larger and more plain colored than males; males with enlarge long dorsal fin (longer and higher than in females). |
Similar Species |
Sailfin mollies have horizontal rows of spots, gambusia have pigment around scales forming cross-hatching, sheepshead minnows have irregular vertical bars. |
Habitat |
Bays, freshwater |
Maximum Size |
15 cm (6 in), common to 3.5 cm (1 1/2 in) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. 13-16; A. 8 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
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State size/bag limits |
None; Check for state record. |