Atherina hepsetus Linnaeus, 1758
Mediterranean sand smelt
photo by Luquet, D.

Family:  Atherinidae (Silversides), subfamily: Atherininae
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; freshwater; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: coasts of Spain and Morocco including Madeira and the Canary Islands. Also in the western Mediterranean, Adriatic Sea and Black Sea.
Diagnosis:  Total scales in midlateral series 59-65. Anal fin with 10-12 1/2 rays (Ref. 59043).
Biology:  Littoral, often near shore. Gregarious, sometimes occurs in marine lagoons (France) and estuaries (Portugal). Feed on pelagic copepods and benthic crustaceans (Ref. 5980).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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