| Family: |
Atherinidae (Silversides), subfamily: Atherininae |
| Max. size: |
11 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic-neritic; freshwater; brackish; marine |
| Distribution: |
Southeast Atlantic: restricted from Lüderitz, Namibia to northern Natal, South Africa. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 6-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-15; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 15-18. Body silvery and translucent with a midlateral band; dusky upper surface (Ref. 4125). |
| Biology: |
Forms schools along the coast and in estuaries, especially during spring (Ref. 3302). Also found in coastal lakes (Ref. 7248). Small individuals filter out small organisms such as phytoplankton and rotifers. Above 3.5 cm TL, it feeds mostly on crustaceans especially amphipods taken from the water column as well as off the bottom. Preyed upon by fishes and birds (Ref. 7248). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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