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Herklotsichthys spilura (Guichenot, 1863) Reunion herring |
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photo by
FAO |
| Family: | Dorosomatidae (Gizzard shads and sardinellas) | |||
| Max. size: | 8.5 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m | |||
| Distribution: | Western Indian Ocean: Kenya, Zanzibar (Tanzania), Reunion. Presumably also Madagascar. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-21; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-23. Resembles H. lossei, which is more slender and has small dark spots on the flank. Overlaps range of H. quadrimaculatus, which has elongate wing-like scales underneath the normal paired pre-dorsal scales. Flank silvery, without dark spots; a bright yellow or orange patch behind gill opening; dark blotch on tip of dorsal fin. | |||
| Biology: | A schooling species occurring in coastal waters. Caught with artisanal fishing gear (Ref. 30573). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 March 2017 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||