Teleostei (teleosts) >
Atheriniformes (Silversides) >
Atherinopsidae (Neotropical silversides) > Menidiinae
Etymology: Labidesthes: Greek, labidos = pair of forceps + Greek esthio = to eat; in reference to the shape of the mouth (Ref. 45335); sicculus: Name most likely from Latin 'sicula' meaning small dagger (see Ref. 104856). Others consider the origin of the name from the Latin 'siccus' meaning dried, referring to being found in dried pools (Ref. 10294, 79012).
More on author: Cope.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; pelagic. Subtropical; 5°C - 20°C (Ref. 13614); 46°N - 25°N
North America: Gulf of Mexico drainages from the Pearl River west to Brazos River including sthe Mississippi River drainage, and the Great Lakes (but not Lake Superior) - St. Lawrence River drainages.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 7.0 range ? - ? cm
Max length : 13.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5723); common length : 8.4 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 12193); max. reported age: 2.00 years (Ref. 12193)
Dorsal spines (total): 4 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 12; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 19 - 27. This species is distinguished and differs from Labidesthes vanhyningi by the following characters: Labidesthes sicculus have the anterolateral processes of the posttemporals longer than width of the base (vs. L. vanhyningi having the processes shorter than width of base); with a midlateral stripe tapering to insertion of pectoral fin in advance of first dorsal fin (vs. maintaining width or usually expanding, to insertion of pectoral fin in advance of the first dorsal-fin); a ratio of thoracic length to abdominal length greater than 2 (vs. less than 2) (Ref. 104856).
Occur near surface of lakes, ponds, and quiet pools of creeks and small to large rivers. Usually found in open water (Ref 5723, 10294). Feed on zooplankton, including copepods, cladocerans, and midge larvae (Ref. 10294).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Werneke, D.C. and J.W. Armbruster, 2015. Silversides of the genus Labidesthes (Atheriniformes: Atherinopsidae). Zootaxa 4032(5):535-550. (Ref. 104856)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Bait: usually
Tools
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.7500 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00447 (0.00239 - 0.00836), b=3.04 (2.87 - 3.21), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this species & (Sub)family-body (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.4 ±0.45 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=3.70; tmax=2).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
