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Alvarez silverside (Atherinella alvarezi) — Atherinopsidae

Alvarez silverside

Atherinella alvarezi

The Alvarez silverside (Atherinella alvarezi) is a freshwater fish of the family Atherinopsidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Mexico

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Description

The Alvarez silverside is a silverside (Atherinidae) from shallow coastal, brackish or fresh water of fresh and brackish water of Central America. The species has a slender, semi-translucent, silvery body with a shiny silver flank band and large eyes. As a schooling fish it swims in large groups near the surface and snaps at small zooplankton and insect larvae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Alvarez silverside?

The Alvarez silverside has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Alvarez silverside live?

The Alvarez silverside lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. North America: Mexico

How big does the Alvarez silverside get?

The Alvarez silverside grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Alvarez silverside dangerous to humans?

No, the Alvarez silverside is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
Alvarez silverside sourced
Scientific name
Atherinella alvarezi
Family
Atherinopsidae
Other names
Gulf silverside sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
North America: Mexico sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Atherinella

More from the family Atherinopsidae

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