Southern Caspian sprat
📖 Overview
Schools in the open sea, not approaching shores. Occurs mainly in the south in winter, migrating to the middle parts of the sea in spring and returning south in November-December. Found in upper layers in March-April, but descends to 16 to 32 m in summer and autumn. Feeds mainly on copepods, also pelagic mysids and small fishes. Breeds in January-September intermittently in the open sea. Stocks said to be depleted in southern part of Caspian Sea.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 21; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12 - 23. Body moderately slender; head long and narrow; belly sharply keeled, with 26 to 32 scutes; pectoral fin tips rounded; last two anal fin rays enlarged; pterotic bulla absent; no notch at the center of the upper jaw.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Southern Caspian sprat is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Southern Caspian sprat is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Brackish; pelagic; oceanodromous ; depth range ? - 32 m . Temperate; 43°N - 35°N, 47°E - 54°E central and southern parts of the Caspian Sea.
🌿 Ecology
copepods, also pelagic mysids and small fishes
📐 Morphometrics
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Big-eye Kilka · Bigeye kilka · Bigeye tyulka · Southern Caspian sprat |
| 🌍CES | kilka Grimmova |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Sydkaspisk brisling |
| 🌍FAS | کیلکای چشم درشت |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | veitsikilka |
| 🇵🇱Polish | Kilka wielkooczna |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Большеглазая килька · Большеглазая тюлька |
| 🌍UKR | Тюлька великоока |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harengula macrophthalma | Knipovich | 1921 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Southern Caspian sprat ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.