| Family: |
Polynemidae (Threadfins) |
| Max. size: |
50 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 10 - 70 m, |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Atlantic: West African coasts, from Canary Islands and Morocco to Angola (Ref. 57402). Sporadically known from Algeria and Namibia (Ref. 57343). Record from Mauritius is likely to be erroneous. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14. Diagnosis: 9-10 short detached pectoral filaments, not exceeding length of upper pectoral fin; body moderately elongate and compressed, its height comprised 2.9-3.4 times in standard length; snout very short, blunt and prominent; mouth inferior; posterior edge of maxillary only slightly expanded, barely reaching past eye; 2 widely separated dorsal fins, 1st with 8 spines, 2nd with 1 flexible spine and 13-14 soft rays; 2nd
dorsal fin and anal fin bases barely equal; pectoral fin inserted low on body; scales ctenoid; head and unpaired fins partly covered with small scales (Ref. 57402).
Coloration: body uniformly silvery, upper part greyish and belly white; a large rounded black spot, about equal to eye diameter, generally visible under lateral line, behind opercle (Ref. 57402). |
| Biology: |
Occurs over sandy (Ref. 2683) and muddy bottoms in shallow waters (Ref. 4340), frequently in brackish habitats (Ref. 4340, 57402) and estuaries, but not in freshwaters (Ref. 57402). Feeds on benthic invertebrates (Ref. 5377). Sold fresh, dried salted or smoked (Ref. 36127). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 15 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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