SPRINGS FIELD GUIDE
Seminole Killifish
FISH PROFILE
COMMON NAME
Seminole Killifish
Scientific name
Fundulus seminolis
FAMILY
Fundulidae
LENGTH
4-16 inches
DIET
Insect larvae, plant seeds, fish eggs, small crustaceans
FISH PROFILE
COMMON NAME
Seminole Killifish
Scientific name
Mugil cephalus
FAMILY
Fundulidae
LENGTH
4-16 inches
DIET
Insect larvae, plant seeds, fish eggs, small crustaceans
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Seminole killifish are silver-green and often have many horizontal rows of small black spots. Females may have faint green bars, but in many fish, these colors, spots, and bars may be difficult to see and you must depend on other characteristics to identify. They have rounded fins, a slender body and upturned mouths. They can reach up to 6.5 inches long but are typically between 4-6 inches.
RANGE, HABITAT, and BEHAVIOR
Seminole killifish are unique to Florida and live in lakes and quiet spring pools throughout the state from Peninsular Florida to just below Lake Okeechobee. They are often found in schools near shallow areas or vegetation and are benthopelagic, meaning that they typically swim mid-water or close to the bottom.
FUN FACT
The name Fundulus comes from the Latin word fundus meaning “bottom”. Which is something of a misnomer as they are in the same family as the topminnows and are often seen towards the mid to upper parts of the water column.