| Dorosomatidae (Gizzard shads and sardinellas) |
| 29.6 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 7 years |
|
pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 10 - 70 m |
| Indo-West Pacific: widespread including the Red Sea, and reported as an invasive species in the eastern Mediterranean basin. |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-21; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-23. Total number scutes 32 to 34. Vertical striae on scales not meeting at center, numerous small perforations on hind part of scale. A golden mid-lateral line down flank; dorsal and caudal fin margins dusky; a dark spot at dorsal fin origin. Lower gill rakers 45 to 59 (at 6 to 17 cm standard length, not increasing with size of fish after 6 cm standard length). |
| Forms schools in coastal waters. Adults feed on phytoplankton and zooplankton (crustacean and molluscan larvae) (Ref. 5213, 5284). Juveniles predominantly prefer crustaceans expanding to include phytoplankton in the diet as their length increases (Ref. 34224). Marketed fresh, dried-salted, boiled or made into fish balls. Possible or even probable confusion with other species (especially S. fimbriata in Indian waters) makes published biological data potentially unreliable. |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 28 February 2017 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
