Fin's Fish Guide
The Common hardyhead (Atherinomorus vaigiensis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Atherinidae that grows up to 17 cm.
Description
The hardyhead silverside is a silverside (Atherinidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is slender and silvery with a broad, shiny silver side band and large eyes. It lives in large schools in shallow coastal waters, bays and estuaries and tolerates strongly varying salinities. At and near the surface it feeds on small zooplankton and small invertebrates. It is an important prey and bait fish. The species is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Common hardyhead?
The Common hardyhead has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Broad silvery lateral band; shoaling little coastal fish that tolerates strongly varying salinities.
Where does the Common hardyhead live?
The Common hardyhead lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water. Indo-West Pacific; shallow coastal waters, bays and estuaries.
How big does the Common hardyhead get?
The Common hardyhead grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.
Is the Common hardyhead dangerous to humans?
No, the Common hardyhead is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Common hardyhead edible?
Yes, the Common hardyhead is commonly eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Atherinomorus
More from the family Atherinidae
Want the complete picture on the Common hardyhead?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Common hardyhead is one of 12,519 species in the app.