[3]  The fish is mostly translucent, with white coloring on the anterior end of the body and brown speckling on the top of the head, posterior scales on the back, and near the jaw.

[7] Order Atheriniformes includes six families of similar smaller silver fishes, that range from freshwater to marine habitats.

Members of the Kirtlandia genus have thicker and glossier scales and are typically found in the Chesapeake Bay region.

The genus Menidia is characterized by their broad silver stripe running down each side and has a similar appearance to Osmeridae.

[7][10] This species also serves as a great example of environmental sex determination (ESD) in juvenile fishes, and many studies have been conducted on the topic.

During the summer months when silversides are more present inshore, copepods are the dominant prey choice, and they tend to feed higher in the water column.

[12] The abiotic factors the Atlantic silverside needs to survive varies for populations of fish based on their geographical location.

They are quick swimmers and their coloration of silver and a little white makes it confusing to predators to determine the direction the fish are heading.

The silverside's strongest form of defense is the strength-in-numbers strategy, where fish will school in large numbers to reduce the likelihood of individual predation.

[7] Some predators feed specifically on silverside larvae when they first emerge, including semipalmated sandpipers, ruddy turnstones, and blue crabs.

[6] Once they reach sexual maturity, both male and female Atlantic silversides will develop their gonads seasonally.