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Bullhead fry (Hypoatherina harringtonensis) — Atherinidae

Bullhead fry

Hypoatherina harringtonensis
Family: Atherinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bullhead fry (Hypoatherina harringtonensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Atherinidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Coral reefs and shallow coastal water of the western Atlantic and the Caribbean.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The reef silverside (Hypoatherina harringtonensis) is a small, slender fish of the family Atherinidae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species has a translucent, silvery body with a shining lateral stripe and reaches about 10 cm. It occurs on coral reefs and in shallow clear water, where it forms large schools. As a plankton feeder it feeds on zooplankton. The species is caught with dip nets and artificial light and is of limited local importance for fisheries and as bait. Owing to its abundance it is an important prey for larger reef fishes and seabirds.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bullhead fry?

The Bullhead fry has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Translucent body with a silver longitudinal stripe; forms large shoals on the reef.

Where does the Bullhead fry live?

The Bullhead fry lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Coral reefs and shallow coastal water of the western Atlantic and the Caribbean.

How big does the Bullhead fry get?

The Bullhead fry grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 6 cm.

Is the Bullhead fry dangerous to humans?

No, the Bullhead fry 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 Bullhead fry edible?

The Bullhead fry is rarely eaten.

More photos

Bullhead fry (Hypoatherina harringtonensis) — Atherinidae — 2
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Bullhead fry (Hypoatherina harringtonensis) — Atherinidae — 3
kary (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Bullhead fry (Hypoatherina harringtonensis) — Atherinidae — 4
Joe Benjamin (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Bullhead fry (Hypoatherina harringtonensis) — Atherinidae — 5
Spencer Lott (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Bullhead fry verified
Scientific name
Hypoatherina harringtonensis
Family
Atherinidae
Other names
Reef silverside; Reef Silverside; Slender silverside verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Average length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Coral reefs and shallow coastal water of the western Atlantic and the Caribbean. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Translucent body with a silver longitudinal stripe; forms large shoals on the reef. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 sourced
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 Hypoatherina

More from the family Atherinidae

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