Mediterranean sand smelt
📖 Overview
Littoral, often near shore. Gregarious, sometimes occurs in marine lagoons (France) and estuaries (Portugal). Feed on pelagic copepods and benthic crustaceans .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Total scales in midlateral series 59-65. Anal fin with 10-12 1/2 rays .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Mediterranean sand smelt is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
All Atherina species are carnivorous. They often school near riverbanks where they feed on worms, mollusks, larvae, and crustaceans.
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; pelagic-neritic. Subtropical; 45°N - 25°N, 20°W - 45°E
🌿 Ecology
pelagic copepods and benthic crustaceans (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atherina athaerina | Nardo | 1827 | Synonym |
| Hepsetia hepsetus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 9 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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