Species profile
Mummichog
Fundulus heteroclitus
At a glance
Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 2 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Confirmed by 4,188 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Maryland, New Jersey, and New York the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- The first fish ever launched into space, flying aboard NASA's Skylab 3 mission in 1973.
- Populations near polluted New Bedford Harbor evolved genetic resistance to cancer-causing PCBs.
- Tolerates water temperatures from near-freezing to over 35°C (95°F).
- Grows only about 4 inches yet survives in water with almost zero dissolved oxygen.
- Among the most studied fish in biology, used in hundreds of environmental toxicology experiments.
Where Mummichog are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Mummichog
Background
The mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) is a small killifish found along the Atlantic coast of the United States and Canada. Also known as Atlantic killifish, mummies, gudgeons, and mud minnows, these fish inhabit brackish and coastal waters including estuaries and salt marshes. The species is noted for its hardiness and ability to tolerate highly variable salinity, temperature fluctuations from 6…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Mummichog article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.