West African pygmy herring
📖 Overview
A riverine species, but also in man-made lakes . Schooling in open waters and at about 2 to 8 m in Lake Kainji, rising to about 30 cm from the surface at night in Lake Volta . It feeds on plankton, especially cladocerans and rotifers . It breeds at about 1.8-2.0 cm standard length .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 15; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 16 - 20; Vertebrae: 36 - 41. Diagnosis: Small, slender fishes, easily mistaken for the juveniles of Pellonula . Belly rounded, with 0-10 minute pre-pelvic scutes, without arms, supporting a low membranous keel, post-pelvic scutes similar, the keel more apparent, and a W-shaped scute located at the pelvic fin bases; lower gillrakers 13-16; pelvic insertion well before dorsal fin, with 1 unbranched and 5-6 branched rays; anal fin beginning under dorsal fin base . It commmonly occurs with Pellonula, which has pelvic fins with 1 unbranched and 7 branched rays, normal scutes and the pelvic fin insertion more or less below the dorsal fin origin . : elongated; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for West African pygmy herring is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; pelagic; depth range 0 - 8 m . Tropical; 18°N - 0°N West Africa (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
plankton, especially cladocerans and rotifers (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"West African pygmy herring is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for West African pygmy herring is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for West African pygmy herring has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | west African pygmy herring |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Vestafrikansk dværgsild |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Сьерратрисса |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 54 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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