Atherion elymus Jordan & Starks, 1901
Bearded silverside
Atherion elymus
photo by Shao, K.T.

Family:  Atherionidae (Pricklenose silversides)
Max. size:  6.4 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 3 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Western Pacific: southern Japan south to northern Queensland, Australia. Has been collected close to the islands in Micronesia, Melanesia, Fiji and New Guinea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 4-6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-13; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 13-15. Mouth barely protractile and with thin lips. Basihyal and mesopterygoids usually with teeth. No notch present at the anterior border of preopercular bone. Face with Shangreen denticles. Ascending process of premaxilla with no lateral processes present. Distal end of maxilla blunt and truncate. Description: Characterized by brownish or greenish color on back; silvery abdomen and midlateral stripe; 16-19 predorsal scales; body depth about 4.3 in SL; relatively small eye, about 3.5 in head length (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Loose aggregations inhabit tide pools and rocky shorelines and reef margins. Eggs are large.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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