Description:
Sheepshead minnows are robust killifishes that grow to approximately 3 inches in length.  The body is somewhat compressed, with a blunt snout and a small terminal mouth.  The dorsal fin originates at the midpoint between the snout and the truncate caudal fin.  Males and females differ in appearance, with males an iridescent blue-green to olive dorsally, fading to olive-green along the sides, and tan or yellow ventrally.  The posterior edge and the base of the caudal fin is black.  Females have more distinct vertical bars on the sides and are a light orange to copper dorsally.  They also have 1 or 2 dark spots on the posterior portion of the dorsal fin, and lack the black edging on the caudal fin.

Habitat:
Sheepshead minnows are common in coastal waters, mangroves and salt marsh  communities having sandy bottoms and depths less than 10 feet.  They are also known to enter freshwater from time to time. 

Range:
Sheepshead minnows range from Massachusetts south to Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to northern Mexico.