| Family: |
Elopidae (Tenpounders) |
| Max. size: |
90 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 5,900.0 g |
| Environment: |
pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine; depth range - 50 m |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Atlantic: West African coast from Mauritania to the Democratic Republic of Congo (Ref. 2844, 4445, 81265). It is often confused with Elops lacerta (Ref. 81265). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. Diagnosis: Elops senegalensis is often confused with Elops lacerta, from which it is distinguished by a smaller number of gill-rakers on the lower limb of the first gill arch, being 11-15 vs. 17-19; and a greater number of small scales in the lateral line, 92-100 vs. 72-83 in E. lacerta (Ref. 2844, 81265).
Description: Spindle-shaped fish, oval in cross-section (Ref. 81265). Eyes large, partially covered by an adipose eyelid; mouth terminal, gape wide, the upper jaw extending distinctly beyond hind margin of eye; lower jaw slightly prominent, with a bony gular plate placed ventrally between its two branches (Ref. 81265). All fins spineless; a single dorsal fin positioned at about mid-length of body, its long base enclosed in a scaly sheath; pectoral fins set low on sides, pelvics abdominal; both paired fins with a scaly axillary process above their bases; caudal fin deeply forked (Ref. 81265).
Colouration: The colour of this species is the same as in Elops lacerta (Ref. 2844, 81265). |
| Biology: |
Coastal pelagic species, occurring inshore and some way up the tidal rivers to the edge of the shelf (Ref. 4445). Feeds on fish and shrimps (Ref. 28587). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 30 November 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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