| Family: |
Atherinidae (Silversides), subfamily: Atherinomorinae |
| Max. size: |
12 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range - 8 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and Delagoa Bay, Mozambique (Ref. 4125) and Persian Gulf (Ref. 68964) to the Cook Islands, north to the Caroline Islands, south to Queensland, Australia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 6-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 11-14. Transparent and blue-green in color, silvery midlateral stripe and abdomen (Ref. 4125). Ascending process of premaxilla moderately long and narrow, lateral process short and wide. Ramus of dentary highly elevated posteriorly. Midlateral band narrow (Ref. 9760). Two rows of pigment spots may be present below lateral band (Ref. 37816).
Description: Characterized by having 16-18 predorsal scales; body depth 5.6-6.9 in SL; large eye, about 3.0 in head length; upper haw just reaching vertical at front edge of eye; jaws and roof of mouth (palatines and mesopterygoids) with small teeth (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Usually found in coastal waters and harbors within its range. Important as food for larger commercial fishes (Ref. 9760). Used as bait in the tuna fishery (Ref. 6822). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 14 August 2023 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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