Gangetic hairfin anchovy
📖 Overview
A riverine species, but also found in estuaries and presumably tolerating some salinity. Adults feed mainly on mysids and small prawns (reduced feeding during breeding), juveniles mainly on copepods. Possibly breeds throughout the year, with peaks in October and November (Hooghly at Barrackpore) or March-May (Ganges at Allahabad). Its large size makes it an attractive foodfish.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 66 - 78. Belly with 21 or 22 keeled scutes from isthmus to anus. Lower gill rakers with the serrae even or becoming clumped in some specimens. Pectoral filament long, reaching to base of 15th to 39th anal fin ray. Anal fin with upper caudal lobe truncated, shorter than lower. Pectoral fins hyaline, but dark in fishes over 13.6 cm SL.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Gangetic hairfin anchovy is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Has an extended breeding season, possibly throughout the year.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; brackish; pelagic; amphidromous . Subtropical; 30°N - 6°N, 84°E - 100°E
🌿 Ecology
mysids and small prawns (reduced feeding during breeding), juveniles mainly on copepods
📐 Morphometrics
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Gangetic hairfin anchovy |
| 🌍CES | sardel fasa |
| 🌍HIN | Patara |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clupea phasa | Hamilton | 1822 | Synonym |
| Clupea telara | Hamilton | 1822 | Synonym |
| Engraulis telara | Hamilton | 1822 | Synonym |
| Setipinna megalura | Swainson | 1839 | Synonym |
| Setipinna truncata | Swainson | 1839 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 5 records indexed .
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