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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Moustached thryssa

Thryssa mystax Bloch & Schneider, 1801
Max Length
19 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.6
Depth
0–50 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
18.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
pelagic

📖 Overview

Found in coastal pelagic waters and often observed as entering mangroves and adjacent brackish waters . Juveniles and adults may penetrate the upper reaches where mixohaline-mesohaline conditions prevail. Eggs and larvae are found in the lower reaches of the mangroves . A schooling species found mostly inshore. Feed on planktonic organisms in coastal waters . Juveniles in mangroves feed on larvae of shrimps and fish . Confusions in identification make all previous biological studies unreliable. One of the commonest species of Thryssa (if identifications have been correct).

Scientific Name
Thryssa mystax
Authority
Bloch & Schneider, 1801
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
19 cm
Depth Range
0–50 m
Latitude
9°S – 25°N
Trophic Level
3.6
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
18.00/100
Migration
Oceanodromous
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 29 - 37. Belly with 24 to 32 keeled scutes from isthmus to anus. Tip of snout on a level with eye center. Maxilla long, reaching to or almost to base of first pectoral fin ray; first supra-maxilla oval, minute. Lower gill rakers with serrae on the inner edge even and not clumped. A dark blotch behind upper part of gill opening.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Moustached thryssa is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Moustached thryssa is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Size at Maturity
13cm TL

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; brackish; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous ; depth range 0 - 50 m . Tropical; 25°N - 9°S, 69°E - 117°E West Pacific: western coast of India to Myanmar and south to Java, Indonesia.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌿 Brackish 🐟 Pelagic
Migration
Oceanodromous
Trophic Level
3.6±0.6
🐠 Schooling
Food Items

planktonic organisms in coastal waters (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00589 × L3.02 (TL)
Max TL
19cm
Anal Rays
33

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
18.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.6
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
25°N – 9°S
Described By
Bloch & Schneider, 1801

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Moustached thryssa is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • 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
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Moustached thryssa is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Moustached thryssa has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Anchovy · Gangetic Anchovy · Mustached Anchovy · Mustached Thryssa · moustached thryssa
🇸🇦Arabic أنشوفة الغانج · شيغ ذو الشوارب
🌍CES sardel pyskatá
🇫🇷French anchois-moustache sardelle
🇷🇺Russian Усатая трисса
🇪🇸Spanish bocarte dompilón
🌍THA ปลาแมวสั้น

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Clupea mystax Bloch & Schneider 1801 Synonym
Clupea subspinosa Swainson 1839 Heterotypic
Engraulis hornelli Fowler 1924 Synonym
Engraulis mystacoides Bleeker 1852 Synonym
Engraulis mystax Bloch & Schneider 1801 Synonym
Scutengraulis mystax Bloch & Schneider 1801 Synonym
Scutengraulis valenciennesi Bleeker 1866 Synonym
Stolephorus valenciennesi Bleeker 1866 Synonym
Thrissa mystax Bloch & Schneider 1801 Synonym
Thrissocles mystax Bloch & Schneider 1801 Synonym
Thryssa poorawa Jerdon 1851 Heterotypic
Thryssa poorawah Jerdon 1851 Heterotypic
Thryssa subspinosa Swainson 1839 Heterotypic
Thryssa valenciennesi Bleeker 1866 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 5 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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