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🌊 Marine 🌡️ Tropical

African baelama anchovy

Thrissina polynemoides Günther, 1868
Max Length
10.5 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.4
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
pelagic

📖 Overview

African baelama anchovy (Thrissina polynemoides) is a ray-finned fish. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in pelagic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 10.5 cm. With a trophic level of 3.4, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms.

Scientific Name
Thrissina polynemoides
Authority
Günther, 1868
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Elongated
Max Length
10.5 cm
Trophic Level
3.4
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Genus
Thrissina
Thrissina
Species
African baelama anchovy
Thrissina polynemoides

🐟 Physical Description

This species is distinguished by the following characters: maxilla short, 21.6-22.3% of SL, its posterior tip not reaching to posterior margin of opercle; first supramaxilla elongated, longer than half length of the second; lower jaw rather long, 19.7-20.3% of SL; abdomen is covered with 5-7 + 9-10 = 14-17 keeled scutes; absence of scutes anterior to pectoral fin; 1UGR (upper gill rakers of first gill arch) 18-20, 1LGR (lower gill rakers of first gill arch) 23-26, 1TGR (total gill rakers of first gill arch) 41-46; 2UGR 14-16, 2LGR 22-25, 2TGR 37-40; 3UGR 12-13, 3LGR 14-16, 3TGR 26-29; 4UGR 11-12, 4LGR 12-13, 4TGR 23-25; absence of distinct black blotches on dorsal fin; caudal peduncle rather narrow, 9.9-10.6% (mean 10.2%) of SL and long, 9.1-10.1% of SL; pre-dorsal-fin long, 50.7-51.8% of SL; pre-anal-fin length short, 65.6-66.9% of SL; dorsal-fin base short, 10.4-10.9% of SL; distance between pelvic-fin insertion and anal-fin origin short, 20.5-21.7% of SL; pectoral fin short, 17.1-18.2% of SL; pelvic fin short, 12.4-13.4% of SL; snout short, 4.7-4.9% of SL; body rather elongated, 23.5-25.3% (mean 24.5%) of SL .: elongated; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for African baelama anchovy is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; pelagic-neritic. Tropical

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🐟 Pelagic
Trophic Level
3.4±0.5

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.0038 × L3.1 (TL)
Max TL
10.5cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
10.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.4
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Günther, 1868

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