Sardinella alcyone Hata & Motomura, 2019
Blueback Sardinella

Family:  Dorosomatidae (Gizzard shads and sardinellas)
Max. size:  10.98 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine; depth range - 1 m
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: Japan (Okinawa I., Ryukyu Is.) and Taiwan.
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: lateral body scales with centrally discontinuous vertical striae, and few perforations and pores posteriorly; scale rows in longitudinal series, 38-41 (modally 39); body with deciduous scales; pelvic fin with one unbranched and seven branched rays; gill rakers 99-112 (103) in first gill arch, 34-42 (39) in upper series, 64-72 (67) in lower series; gill rakers 97-115 (101) on second gill arch, 33-40 (35) in upper and 64-76 (74) in lower series; gill rakers 79-98 (84) on third gill arch, 31-38 (33) in upper and 48-60 (57) in lower series; gill rakers 62-77 (68) on fourth gill arch, 24-31 (27) in upper and 37-47 (39) in lower series; gill rakers 25-31 (27) on hind face of third gill arch; scutes on ventral of body 17 or 18 (18) + 12-14 (13) = 30-32 (31); pectoral fin long, 20.7-23.4% SL; pelvic fin long, 11.9-13.1% SL; upper jaw moderately long, 10.8-12.4% SL and also the lower jaw, 11.8-13.4% SL; pre-anal-fin length 77.4-82.3% SL. Colouration: caudal fin with black posterior margin; dorsal-fin origin with a black spot (Ref. 121926).
Biology:  Found in coastal shallow waters and estuaries (Ref. 121926).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 15 May 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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