Dorosoma anale Meek, 1904
Mexican river gizzard shad
photo by Dubosc, J.

Family:  Dorosomatidae (Gizzard shads and sardinellas)
Max. size:  23.6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  North America: Mexico (Río Papaloapan in southern Veracruz and Oaxaca) southward to northern Guatemala (Río Ucumacinta basin). Reported from Belize (Ref. 30499).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 17-38. Body moderately deep; belly with 18 + 10 or 11 scutes. Mouth small, inferior; lower jaw short. Last dorsal fin ray long, about equal to distance snout tip to about mid-pectoral fin; anal fin long. Scales small, somewhat irregular. A dark spot behind gill opening. Gill rakers fine and numerous.
Biology:  Occurs in rivers, apparently not yet recorded in brackish water. A filter feeder. More data needed (Ref. 188).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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