Scientific Name
Atherion africanum

Common Name
Pricklenose silverside

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 5 - 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 16 - 17. Translucent and blue-green in color; pigmentation on head and body variable (Ref. 4125).

Classification

Classified By

Smith, 1965

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Silversides (Atheriniformes)

Family

Silversides (Atherinidae)

Distribution

Region

Indian Ocean

Distribution

Indian Ocean: India to Natal, South Africa (Ref. 4125).

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

pelagic-neritic

Environment

Marine; pelagic-neritic

Trophic Level

3.11 s.e. 0.40 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

5.5 cm

Common Length

4.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.6250 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (12 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated