Whitehead's Sprat
📖 Overview
Whitehead's Sprat (Microthrissa whiteheadi) is a ray-finned fish of the family Dorosomatidae. It inhabits freshwater waters in pelagic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 5.7 cm. 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): 11 - 14; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 20 - 25; Vertebrae: 39 - 40. Diagnosis: Body moderately deep, its depth about 28-37% of standard length; scutes keeled, 1 or 2 before base of first pectoral fin ray, 13-16 pre-pelvic and 5-9 post-pelvic scutes; snout rounded; lower jaw not or slightly projecting, with small teeth limited to anterior part; pre-maxilla lacking a medial notch and with 32-40 small conical teeth directed inwards; maxilla blade slender, more than 5 times as long as deep, lower edge bordered with minute conical teeth; posterior supra-maxilla about as long as maxilla blade, its shaft as long as its blade; lower gillrakers 14-18 . Also characterized by 35-39 scales in a longitudinal series and anal fin with 20-25 rays . Closely related to Microthrissa royauxi and distinguished from this species by the shape of the pre-maxillary, the medial notch as found in M. royauxi is absent in M. whiteheadi, and the latter also has 32-40 pre-maxilla teeth vs. 16-26 in M. royauxi . It is distinguished from Microthrissa minuta by a higher number of teeth on the pre-maxilla, 32-40 vs. 12-30 in M. minuta; and additionally by a lower number of lower gillrakers, 14-18 vs. 18-22, a higher number of anal fin rays, 20-25 vs. 18-21, and a higher number of pre-pelvic scutes, 13-16 vs. 11-12 . : fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Whitehead's Sprat is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; pelagic. Tropical; 10°N - 10°S
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Whitehead's Sprat |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 15 records indexed .
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