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Woodward's silverside (Hypoatherina woodwardi) — Atherinidae

Woodward's silverside

Hypoatherina woodwardi
Family: Atherinidae

The Woodward's silverside (Hypoatherina woodwardi) is a saltwater fish of the family Atherinidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Woodward's silverside is a silverside (Atherinidae) from shallow coastal and lagoon water of the waters around Australia. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender, translucent body with a shiny silver stripe along the flank and large eyes. As a social schooling fish it forms dense swarms in the upper layer and snaps at small zooplankton and small invertebrates. It is important food for larger fish and seabirds. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Woodward's silverside?

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

Where does the Woodward's silverside live?

The Woodward's silverside lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Woodward's silverside get?

The Woodward's silverside grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Woodward's silverside dangerous to humans?

No, the Woodward's silverside is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Woodwards koornaarvis sourced
English name
Woodward's silverside sourced
Scientific name
Hypoatherina woodwardi
Family
Atherinidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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