Key silverside facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Key silverside |
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The Key silverside (Menidia conchorum) is a small fish that lives in the Florida Keys. It belongs to the silverside family. This fish is special because it is endemic to the Florida Keys, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world!
Scientists have confirmed that the Key silverside is a unique species. It lives in both slightly salty (brackish) and fully salty (marine) waters. Studies show that it looks and is genetically different from other similar fish nearby.
Since the 1980s, the number of Key silversides has dropped a lot. This is mainly because their homes, the salt ponds and lagoons, are disappearing quickly. Rising sea levels are also a big problem for them. Because of these threats, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has listed the Key silverside as a threatened species.
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What is the Key Silverside?
Where the Key Silverside Lives
In the late 1970s, a survey found that the Key silverside lives only in the calm, shallow waters of lagoons and ponds in the Florida Keys. This type of habitat is quite rare. Many other unique fish species also call these special places home.
Appearance and Size
The Key silverside is the smallest known fish in its group, the Menidia genus. Female Key silversides can grow up to about 5.8 centimeters (2.3 inches) long. Males are usually a bit smaller, reaching about 5 centimeters (2 inches).
Even though it is closely related to the Tidewater silverside, you can tell the Key silverside apart. It has a deeper body and a yellowish color. It also lives in different places and cannot handle cold water as well as its relatives.
Why is the Key Silverside Endangered?
Threats to its Habitat
The biggest threat to the Key silverside is the loss of its home. Rising sea levels are flooding many of the large salt ponds and lagoons where these fish live. These isolated ponds are very important for the fish to survive.
In the past, many salt ponds and lagoons were filled in to build things. This has already destroyed a lot of the places where Key silversides used to live.
Conservation Efforts
Experts believe that if we do not act soon, the Key silverside could become extinct within the next ten years. This would mean losing a fish species found only in the Florida Keys.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has officially recommended listing the Key silverside as a Threatened species. This decision is based on detailed research and discussions with fish experts. It means the species meets the requirements to be protected by law.
Scientists are continuing to study the Key silverside. This ongoing research helps us understand the fish better and find the best ways to protect it for the future.
