| Atherinopsidae (Neotropical silversides), subfamily: Menidiinae |
| 8 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 3 years |
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pelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6.59999990463257 - 6.80000019073486 |
| North America: occurs only in the Lake Waccamaw in North Carolina, USA. |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 10-17; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 16-22; Vertebrae: 41-45. Silvery-white with black melanophores surrounding each scale on the dorsal two-thirds of the body. The dorsal half of the body is almost translucent. |
| Usually occur in large schools near surface in open water, over dark sandy bottom (Ref. 35360). Well adapted to a life of heavy predation (Ref. 35360). Frequent skipping over the water surface is observed apparently in avoidance of predators (Ref. 35360). |
|
Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 01 March 2012 (D2) Ref. (130435)
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| harmless |
|
Common but protected as a threatened species due to extremely small range. Very fragile when handled, almost always went into immediate and fatal shock when collected (Ref. 35360). So far, efforts to culture have been unsuccessful (Ref. 35360).
Status of threat: threatened; status same as 1989. Criteria: 1,5 (http://fisc.er.usgs.gov/afs/) (Ref. 81264). |
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