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Atherinomorus forskalii (Rüppell, 1838) Red Sea hardyhead silverside |
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photo by
Bariche, M. |
| Family: | Atherinidae (Silversides), subfamily: Atherinomorinae | |||
| Max. size: | 13.3 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine | |||
| Distribution: | Western Indian Ocean: endemic to the Red Sea and has invaded the eastern Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 5-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 11-15; Vertebrae: 40-44. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: lateral process of premaxilla very low and wide; upper margin of dentary almost flat distally, no distinct tubercle at the posterior end; posterior tip of the upper jaw reaching to or exceeding a vertical through anterior margin of the pupil, and not reaching to a vertical through center of the pupil; teeth on endopterygoids large, forming distinct ridges; anus located around posterior tip of the pelvic fin; lower gill rakers 20-23; midlateral scale count 39-43; lower margin of midlateral band reaching to or just below ventral end of the midlateral (third) scale row at the level of the anal fin origin (Ref. 58474). | |||
| Biology: | Feeds on zooplankton, small bottom-living invertebrates (Ref. 5980). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||
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