This paper is based on an attempt to assemble the existing knowledge of the silverside, Menidia menidia, and to contribute to what is known about the life history of this species. A vast amount of work is needed on the ecological relationships between the food fish and the forage fish. One of the most important forage fishes on the Atlantic Coast is the silverside. To understand the inter-relationships between the food fish and the forage fish it is necessary first to understand the life histories of both. For this reason it is important that the life history of this species be studied.