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Mummichog

fundulus heteroclitus

The mummichog is a small fish that swims in the shallow waters of marshes and estuaries. These colorful little fish are fun to watch as they dart around looking for food!

Habitat: Mummichogs live in coastal marshes, estuaries, and tidal flats.

Appearance

The Mummichog has a stout body, typically olive-green to brown on top with a yellowish belly. Males display dark vertical bars and bright yellow-orange fins during breeding season, setting them apart from the more uniformly blotched females.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopterygiiOrderCyprinodontiformesFamilyFundulidaeGenusFundulus

Photo: NOAAPublic domain · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Mummichog

Interesting facts

Female Mummichogs lay their eggs in nests hidden within marsh grass!

Mummichogs are tough fish, often used by scientists to study pollution effects!

These fish can change their body color to blend perfectly with their surroundings!

They can briefly breathe air using their skin, if they jump out of water!

Special abilities

Mummichogs can survive in water temperatures from near-freezing to over 38°C because of their amazing physiological adaptations.

Mummichogs can burrow into the mud when tide pools dry up or conditions are harsh, helping them escape extreme heat or drought.

Mummichogs can live in water with very low oxygen levels because their gills are highly efficient at extracting oxygen from poor water.

Measurements & details

Length: 7.5-15 cm
Weight: 0.005-0.03 kg
Lifespan: 2-5 years
Swim Speed: 8 km/h
Maximum Depth: 2 m
Water Type: Brackish

Diet & Feeding

These small fish are omnivores, munching on tiny insects, crustaceans, and even plant bits in shallow waters.

Primary Foods

insect larvae
small crustaceans
marine worms
algae
detritus

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

Eaten by

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

Herons frequently hunt Mummichogs in shallow marsh waters.

Eaten by

Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

Larger fish like Striped Bass prey on Mummichogs.

Eats

Ocean Scud

Gammarus oceanicus

Mummichogs actively forage for small crustaceans like scuds.

Eats

Midge

Chironomus plumosus

Mummichogs consume larvae of various insects, including midges.

Traits

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Diurnal

Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.

Aquatic

Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.

Marine

Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.

Also known as

KillifishMarsh MummichogMudminnow

Collections

Fish

Safety

Danger

0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Mummichog?

Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How long is Mummichog?

7.5-15 cm

How much does Mummichog weigh?

0.005-0.03 kg

How long does Mummichog live?

2-5 years

What does Mummichog eat?

These small fish are omnivores, munching on tiny insects, crustaceans, and even plant bits in shallow waters.

How fast can Mummichog swim?

8 km/h

Where is Mummichog usually found?

Mummichogs live in coastal marshes, estuaries, and tidal flats.