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Flower of the wave (Iso rhothophilus) — Isonidae

Flower of the wave

Iso rhothophilus
Family: Isonidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Flower of the wave (Iso rhothophilus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Isonidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southwest Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The surf sprite is a small silverside from the southwest Pacific, off Australia. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender, translucent silvery body adapted to life in the turbulent surf zone. It schools in dense numbers just behind the breaking waves along sandy beaches and rocky shores and feeds on small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans and has no commercial value. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flower of the wave?

The Flower of the wave has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Translucent body adapted to the surf; densely schooling silverside

Where does the Flower of the wave live?

The Flower of the wave lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water. Southwest Pacific

How big does the Flower of the wave get?

The Flower of the wave grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Flower of the wave dangerous to humans?

No, the Flower of the wave 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 Flower of the wave edible?

The Flower of the wave is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Flower of the wave verified
Scientific name
Iso rhothophilus
Family
Isonidae
Other names
Flower of the wave; Surf fish; Surf sardine verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Southwest Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Surf-dwelling small schooling fish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Translucent body adapted to the surf; densely schooling silverside sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable 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 Iso

More from the family Isonidae

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