Fin's Fish Guide
The Amazon spinejaw sprat (Rhinosardinia amazonica) is a brackish-water fish of the family Clupeidae that grows up to 11 cm.
Description
The Amazon spinejaw sprat is a small herring relative from coastal, estuarine and fresh water of northern South America, including the Amazon mouth. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a slender, silvery, laterally compressed body with a sharp belly edge. It schools and filters small zooplankton from the water. It is a local bait and forage fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Amazon spinejaw sprat?
The Amazon spinejaw sprat has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Slender silvery body with a sharp belly edge; schooling plankton filterer
Where does the Amazon spinejaw sprat live?
The Amazon spinejaw sprat lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water. Northern South America
How big does the Amazon spinejaw sprat get?
The Amazon spinejaw sprat grows to a maximum of about 11 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.
Is the Amazon spinejaw sprat dangerous to humans?
No, the Amazon spinejaw sprat 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.
Is the Amazon spinejaw sprat edible?
The Amazon spinejaw sprat is rarely eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
More from the family Clupeidae
Want the complete picture on the Amazon spinejaw sprat?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Amazon spinejaw sprat is one of 12,519 species in the app.