Atherinops affinis (Ayres, 1860)
Topsmelt silverside
Atherinops affinis
photo by FAO

Family:  Atherinopsidae (Neotropical silversides), subfamily: Atherinopsinae
Max. size:  37 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 9 years
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine; depth range - 26 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada to Baja California, Mexico and the Gulf of California.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-14; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 19-25; Vertebrae: 44-52. Blue gray to green above, silvery below; a striking silver band bordered above with blue extends the full length of the body (Ref. 6885). Branchiostegal rays: 5-6 (Ref. 36497).
Biology:  Common in bays, muddy and rocky areas and kelp beds, also in estuaries (Ref. 36497). Form schools. Adults feed on zooplankton (Ref. 9273), while juveniles feed on algae and kelp fly larvae (Ref. 4930). Demersal spawner in nearshore habitats (Ref. 56049). Oviparous, with planktonic, primarily neustonic larvae (Ref. 36497). Eggs are attached to spawning substrate and to one another by adhesive filaments (Ref. 36497).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 May 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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