Topsmelt silverside
📖 Overview
Common in bays, muddy and rocky areas and kelp beds, also in estuaries . Form schools. Adults feed on zooplankton , while juveniles feed on algae and kelp fly larvae . Demersal spawner in nearshore habitats . Oviparous, with planktonic, primarily neustonic larvae . Eggs are attached to spawning substrate and to one another by adhesive filaments .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 14; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 19 - 25; Vertebrae: 44 - 52. Blue gray to green above, silvery below; a striking silver band bordered above with blue extends the full length of the body . Branchiostegal rays: 5-6 .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Topsmelt silverside is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Topsmelt silverside is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; depth range ? - 26 m . Subtropical; 52°N - 21°N, 130°W - 105°W
🌿 Ecology
zooplankton (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Topsmelt silverside is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Topsmelt silverside is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Topsmelt silverside has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | topsmelt · Topsmelt Silverside |
| 🌍CES | gavúnovec jednopruhý |
| 🇫🇷French | Athérine Grognon · capucette barrée |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Обыкновенный атеринопс |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Pejerrey Mocho · pejerrey pescadillo |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atherinops affinis affinis | Ayres | 1860 | Synonym |
| Atherinops affinis littoralis | Hubbs | 1918 | Synonym |
| Atherinops cedroscensis | Hubbs | 1918 | Synonym |
| Atherinops guadalupae | Hubbs | 1918 | Synonym |
| Atherinops insularum | Gilbert | 1891 | Synonym |
| Atherinops insularum cedroscensis | Hubbs | 1918 | Synonym |
| Atherinops insularum guadalupae | Hubbs | 1918 | Synonym |
| Atherinops littoralis | Hubbs | 1918 | Synonym |
| Atherinops magdalenae | Fowler | 1903 | Synonym |
| Atherinops oregonia | Jordan & Snyder | 1913 | Synonym |
| Atherinopsis affinis | Ayres | 1860 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 111 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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