Middling thread herring
📖 Overview
Middling thread herring (Opisthonema medirastre) 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 30 cm. It occurs at depths between 0 and 50 metres. With a trophic level of 3.3, 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. Body moderately deep and compressed; posterior edge of gill openings with two clearly visible, fleshy, protuberances; gill rakers numerous, 41 to 69 on ceratobranchial (in fish longer than 14 cm total length); last dorsal ray elongated and filamentous; back gray-green with silver-white flanks and a black spot behind the gill slit followed by a yellow lateral strip . The filamentous last dorsal fin ray distinguishes it from members of any other eastern Pacific clupeoid genus. Separated from other eastern Pacific Opisthonema by having 41 to 69 lower gill rakers in fishes over 14 cm standard length.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Middling thread herring is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Middling thread herring is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Middling thread herring is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; pelagic-neritic; depth range 0 - 50 m . Subtropical; 36°N - 6°S, 123°W - 77°W east some accounts of Opisthonema bulleri and especially Opisthonema libertate which used to be the only Pacific species recognized).
🌿 Ecology
crustaceans and pteropods
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 14 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet — be the first to log one!
View all observations for Middling thread herring ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data?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.