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Tropical silverside (Atherinomorus duodecimalis) — Atherinidae

Tropical silverside

Atherinomorus duodecimalis
Family: Atherinidae

The Tropical silverside (Atherinomorus duodecimalis) is a fish of the family Atherinidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; shallow coastal waters and lagoons.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The tropical silverside is a silverside (Atherinidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is small and has a slender, translucent body with a shiny silver lengthwise band on the flank and relatively large eyes. It lives in large, dense schools in clear, shallow coastal waters, lagoons and over reefs. With its fine gill rakers it captures small zooplankton from the water column. It is an important prey fish for larger predators and seabirds. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tropical silverside?

The Tropical silverside is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Glossy silvery flank band; forms large shoals as a prey fish in shallow coastal waters.

Where does the Tropical silverside live?

The Tropical silverside is mostly found around open water. Indo-West Pacific; shallow coastal waters and lagoons.

How big does the Tropical silverside get?

The Tropical silverside grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Tropical silverside dangerous to humans?

No, the Tropical silverside is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Tropical silverside edible?

The Tropical silverside is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Tropical silverside sourced
Scientific name
Atherinomorus duodecimalis
Family
Atherinidae
Other names
Balabac Island silverside; Lined silverside; Western hardyhead

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain 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

Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; shallow coastal waters and lagoons. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups 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
Glossy silvery flank band; forms large shoals as a prey fish in shallow coastal waters. 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Atherinomorus

More from the family Atherinidae

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