Silverside Minnow Question

Andi · Post by **Andi** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:57 am

The Silverside Minnow present in Clear Lake, is the taxonomic name Menidia beryllina, the Inland Silverside? Is it common in other California inland waters? I've been looking online for a species bio specific to California but I can't seem to find one. Thanks!

fish_food · Post by **fish_food** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 9:01 am

That's the one--they were introduced there to control gnats. They're also in the Delta.

You have to look at them closely to tell the difference from all the other silvery, smelt-looking baitfish like Delta Smelt and wakasagi/pond smelt...

Ray L. · Post by **Ray L.** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 9:11 am

We have them in many s. cal.lakes. Perris, D.V.L. and Cataic of the top of my head.

BassManDan · Post by **BassManDan** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:13 am

Inland silverside, Menidia beryllina, Family Atherinidae - i.e. smelt.

As noted, not to be confused with the Japanese pond smelt (Wakasagi) - Hypomesus nipponensis

As per your question, you're looking for a California endemic species of "baitfish" look towards the Sacramento splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus); there aren't too many of them left and they are definitely California locals.

Andi · Post by **Andi** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 12:37 pm

Thank you all so much! What great info here. Found the UC Davis California Fish website - I'm in heaven!

Vernonn · Post by **Vernonn** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 12:53 pm

Did you happen to see the Land Shark description?

http://calfish.ucdavis.edu/calfish/CalSpec.asp

Andi · Post by **Andi** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 2:13 pm

OMG Yes! I figured it had to be a joke so I bookmarked it to investigate later (I was in serious baitfish overload mode) - I should have done it right away! That's totally hilarious!