North America: Atlantic and Gulf slopes from southeastern New York (including Long Island) to St.Johns River drainage in Florida and west to Aucilla River drainage in Florida and Georgia, USA. Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions
Short description
Dorsalspines
(total): 0;
Dorsalsoft rays
(total): 14 - 15;
Analspines: 0;
Analsoft rays: 8 - 11. Body robust, thick, little compressed; head bluntly conic; snout short, equal to diameter of eye; mouth moderate, jaws short, mandible protrudes slightly beyond tip of upper jaw, premaxillaries not protractile. Gill rakers short and numerous. Dorsal inserted near pectoral than caudal base; pelvic inserted just before origin of dorsal , rays of depressed fin reaching to about 3rd anal ray. Caudal fin rounded, with 18-20 rays (Ref. 2196).
Pigmentation: yellowish green with 10-12 narrow lateral dark stripes; a dark stripe through eye; a black basicaudal bar; lower jaw pale; fins plain. Also Ref. 40476.
Occur in quiet streams, sloughs, swamps and other wetlands over sand, mud and debris, often among dense vegetation. Juveniles also found among aquatic vegetation, often forming schools of 10-12 individuals (Ref. 39069). Oviparous, larvae remain in algal nest for about 6 days (Ref. 39067). Spawning takes place in April and May (Ref. 30578). Feed on insect larvae, worms, mollusks, crustaceans alevins.
Experimental studies show that this species can tolerate acidic environment, particularly, at ph values ranging from 4.0 to 7.0 where no mortality or significant changes in blood plasma osmolarity and haematocrit was observed (Ref. 59260).
