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Herklotsichthys lossei Wongratana, 1983 Gulf herring |
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photo by
Randall, J.E. |
| Family: | Dorosomatidae (Gizzard shads and sardinellas) | |||
| Max. size: | 8 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m | |||
| Distribution: | Western Indian Ocean: Persian Gulf, possibly also the Red Sea. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-21; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-23. Closely resembles H. punctatus in shape, but the latter lacks a dark blotch on the dorsal fin and has small dark spots along the back and not on the flank. Distinguished from H. spilurus by its more slender body and spots along the flank. Possibly overlaps range of H. quadrimaculatus, which lacks spots on the flank and has elongate wing-like scales underneath paired pre-dorsal scales. | |||
| Biology: | A schooling species found in coastal waters. Coastal pelagic (Ref. 68964). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 July 2017 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||