Sheltered Coast
The range extends from the Chesapeake region through Florida and into the northeastern Gulf. Open beaches are less characteristic than sheltered grassy water. A coastal observation should retain the actual cover and salinity rather than being assigned automatically to exposed surf habitat.
Food and Appearance
Recorded foods include insects, small crustaceans, worms, mollusks, plants and small fish. Breeding males become dark green with pale spots, while females show brownish tones and darker body markings. Appearance therefore changes with sex and reproductive condition.
Eggs and Size
The species lays eggs that can withstand periods out of water, but it is not an annual killifish. The compiled maximum is eight centimeters total length. Egg tolerance should not be interpreted as proof that adult fish can live indefinitely in dry conditions.
Keep Sex and Season with Color
A breeding male and a female can look quite different. Record reproductive condition when using color and pattern for identification.
All Lakes With Marsh Killifish
Browse all lakes and reservoirs with confirmed Marsh Killifish records in our database, listed alphabetically.
No published lakes are currently linked to this species in our confirmed records.