Rhinosardinia amazonica (Steindachner, 1879)
Amazon spinejaw sprat
Rhinosardinia amazonica
photo by Krumme, U.

Family:  Dorosomatidae (Gizzard shads and sardinellas)
Max. size:  11 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic; freshwater; brackish
Distribution:  South America: lower reaches of the Orinoco, rivers of the Guianas, Amazon at ParĂ¡, but undoubtedly elsewhere in its lower part.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-21; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 15-18. Belly strongly keeled; two distinct parallel striae on scales; a silver stripe along flank in some specimens. Easily separated from all other clupeids in the area by the sharp retrorse spine on the upper part of the maxilla at about the level of the eye center. Distinguished from the very similar R. bahiensis mainly by having fewer vertebrae (38 or 39) and fewer scales in lateral series (Ref. 188). Body silvery, head yellowish white (Ref. 37032).
Biology:  A riverine freshwater species, but also tolerates brackish water. Presumably schooling. Feeds on zooplankton.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 28 February 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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