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💧 Freshwater Critically Endangered 🌡️ Temperate

Delta smelt

Hypomesus transpacificus McAllister, 1963
Max Length
12 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
1 yrs
Trophic Level
3.2
Depth
-
Climate
Temperate
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
16.00/100
Typical Length
6.3 cm
Depth Zone
pelagic

📖 Overview

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.

Scientific Name
Hypomesus transpacificus
Authority
McAllister, 1963
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Temperate
IUCN Status
CR
Max Length
12 cm
Lifespan
1 years
Trophic Level
3.2
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
16.00/100
Migration
Anadromous

🐟 Physical Description

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.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Delta smelt is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

Spawn Location
Demersal

Eggs are demersal .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; brackish; pelagic; anadromous . Temperate; 73°N - 38°N North America: Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region in central California, USA.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater 🌿 Brackish 🐟 Pelagic
Migration
Anadromous
Trophic Level
3.2±0.1

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00372 × L3.17 (TL)
Max TL
12cm
Dorsal Rays
10
Anal Rays
18
Vertebrae
55

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Critically Endangered
Assessment Date
2012

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
16.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.2
Predator
Climate Zone
Temperate
Described By
McAllister, 1963

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