Opisthopterus equatorialis Hildebrand, 1946
Equatorial longfin herring
Opisthopterus equatorialis
photo by Robertson, R.

Family:  Pristigasteridae (Pristigasterids)
Max. size:  14.6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Costa Rica to Guayaquil Gulf, Peru.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 56-62. Belly with 26 to 28 scutes. Lower jaw projecting, mouth pointing obliquely upward; no hypo-maxilla. Dorsal fin origin nearer to caudal fin base than to vertical from pectoral fin base by about 2 eye diameters (or behind midpoint of body by about 3 eye diameters); anal fin long, its origin much nearer to snout tip than to caudal fin base. Scales easily shed.
Biology:  Occurs in coastal waters, perhaps entering water with low salinities (Ref. 9336).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 November 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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