# 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! - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 9 - **Habitat:** Mummichogs live in coastal marshes, estuaries, and tidal flats. - **Also known as:** Killifish, Marsh Mummichog, Mudminnow ![Mummichog](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Mummichog.jpg&width=800) Photo: NOAA, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mummichog.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Cyprinodontiformes - **Family:** Fundulidae - **Genus:** Fundulus ## 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 - **Temperature Warrior:** Mummichogs can survive in water temperatures from near-freezing to over 38°C because of their amazing physiological adaptations. - **Mud Burrower:** Mummichogs can burrow into the mud when tide pools dry up or conditions are harsh, helping them escape extreme heat or drought. - **Oxygen Defier:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-blue-heron) (*Ardea herodias*) — Herons frequently hunt Mummichogs in shallow marsh waters. - **Eaten by:** [Striped Bass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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. ### How does Mummichog hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Charlestown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charlestown-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Cleveland Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cleveland-park) — District of Columbia, US · Neighborhood - [East Potomac Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-potomac-park) — District of Columbia, US · Park - [Lafayette Square Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lafayette-square-historic-district) — District of Columbia, US · Historic District - [West Potomac Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/west-potomac-park) — District of Columbia, US · Park - [Woodley Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/woodley-park) — District of Columbia, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Mummichog](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/mummichog) ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Mummichog: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mummichog)