Spotback herring
📖 Overview
Spotback herring (Herklotsichthys punctatus) is a ray-finned fish of the family Dorosomatidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in pelagic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 11.7 cm. It occurs at depths between 0 and 50 metres. With a trophic level of 3.1, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 21; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12 - 23. Flank silvery, without spots, but a series of small dark spots on back on either side of dorsal fin base or behind it.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Spotback herring is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; pelagic-neritic; depth range 0 - 50 m . Subtropical; 37°N - 12°N, 29°E - 45°E Indian Ocean: Red Sea and possibly Gulf of Aden; an immigrant into eastern Mediterranean Sea (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Spotback herring · Spotted herring |
| 🇫🇷French | Hareng tacheté |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Arenque-pontuado |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Arenque manchado |
| 🌍TUR | sardalya |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 斑點似青鱗魚 · 斑點青鱗 · 青鱗仔 · 鰮仔 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clupea punctata | Rüppell | 1837 | Synonym |
| Harengula arabica | Valenciennes | 1847 | Synonym |
| Harengula punctatus | Rüppell | 1837 | Synonym |
| Herclotsichthys punctatus | Rüppell | 1837 | Synonym |
| Herklosichthys punctatus | Rüppell | 1837 | Synonym |
| Herklostichthys punctatus | Rüppell | 1837 | Synonym |
| Herkloteichthys punctatus | Rüppell | 1837 | Synonym |
| Spratella erythraea | Rüppell | 1852 | Heterotypic |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 5 records indexed .
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