Delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus), first described by McAllister, 1963 is a small fish in the family Osmeridae (order Osmeriformes). Adults typically reach 12.00 cm in maximum length. Reported lifespan reaches approximately 1 years. It inhabits freshwater systems including rivers, streams, and lakes. It occurs in Temperate waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Critically Endangered.
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 11; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 16 - 20; Vertebrae: 52 - 57. Vomer without posterior process; periphery of glossohyal bone with single row of conical teeth, central part toothless; pyloric caeca 4(2-5); base of adipose fin more than 20% of head length; eye large; adipose eyelid poorly developed.
Behavioural data for Delta smelt is currently being reviewed.
Eggs are demersal .
Freshwater; brackish; pelagic; anadromous . Temperate; 73°N - 38°N North America: Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region in central California, USA.
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