Amazonsprattus scintilla Roberts, 1984
Rio Negro pygmy anchovy
photo by Gama, C.S.

Family:  Engraulidae (Anchovies), subfamily: Engraulinae
Max. size:  2 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  South America: endemic to the Amazon system (Rio Jufari between Castanheiro Grande and Santa Fé, also Rio Negro at Santa Isabel).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-14. Mouth small, pre-maxillae absent or minute and toothless; maxilla very short, just reaching to front border of eye, with two supra-maxillae; articulation of lower jaw under hind border of pupil or just behind. Dorsal fin origin well behind midpoint of body; anal fin origin under first quarter of dorsal fin base. In life translucent or even transparent.
Biology:  A riverine species collected some distance up a low-gradient swampy tributary of the Rio Negro (the Rio Jufari), Brazil and in the main river, in both cases the water generally darkly tinted, acid (pH 4-5) and low in dissolved ions. Feeds on dipteran larvae and pupae; also cladocerans. Males mature at 1.43-1.62 cm SL; females at 1.59-1.82 cm. Ovarian eggs are creamy or pale orange. A female of 1.73 cm had 20 eggs in the single ovary in January.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 March 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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