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Yellowfin herring (Pliosteostoma lutipinnis) — Pristigasteridae

Yellowfin herring

Pliosteostoma lutipinnis

The Yellowfin herring (Pliosteostoma lutipinnis) is a saltwater fish of the family Pristigasteridae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and others
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The yellowfin herring is a herring (Pristigasteridae) from coastal and estuarine water of the eastern Pacific around Central America. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a strongly laterally compressed, bright-silvery body with a keeled, saw-edged belly and yellowish fins. As a social schooling fish it swims in open coastal water and filters plankton and small crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellowfin herring?

The Yellowfin herring has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Yellowfin herring live?

The Yellowfin herring lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and others

How big does the Yellowfin herring get?

The Yellowfin herring grows to a maximum of about 25 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Yellowfin herring dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellowfin herring 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 Yellowfin herring edible?

The Yellowfin herring is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Yellowfin herring sourced
Scientific name
Pliosteostoma lutipinnis
Family
Pristigasteridae
Other names
Yellowfin herring verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Average length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten inferred
Fishing method
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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

More from the family Pristigasteridae

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