Rhinosardinia bahiensis (Steindachner, 1879)
Bahia sprat
photo by FAO

Family:  Dorosomatidae (Gizzard shads and sardinellas)
Max. size:  8 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic; freshwater; brackish
Distribution:  South America: lower reaches of the Orinoco; Surinam; Pernambuco and Bahia, Brazil. Many records of the species are unconfirmed and its real distribution is not certain.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-21; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 15-18; Vertebrae: 43. Distinguished from the very similar R. amazonica mainly by having more vertebrae and more scales in lateral series. Easily separated from all other clupeids in the area by the sharp retrorse spine on the upper part of the maxilla at about the level of the eye center. A silver stripe along the flank reported by some authors. Two distinct parallel striae on scales.
Biology:  A riverine freshwater species, but also tolerating brackish water.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 March 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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