White sardine (Escualosa thoracata)

Latin name

Escualosa thoracata

Other names

Deep herring, northern herring.

Identification

Differs from its relative, Escualosa elongata, in having a deeper body. Abdomen strongly convex. Second maxilla almost rectangular in shape. 

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-21; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14-19. 

Fish colouring

Unlike Escualosa elongata, they have a broad silvery stripe.

Distribution

It is a tropical fish of the Indo-Pacific region, distributed from Thailand to Indonesia and Australia.

Habitat

The marine pelagic-neritic amphidromous species. It is known to swim to a maximum depth of 50 meters. 

Size

The largest known standard length for this species is 10 cm. Maximum reported age: 1 year. 

Behavior

Forms shoals in shallow water, juveniles apparently enter the lower reaches of rivers but later return to the sea. 

Food and feeding habits

It feeds on both zooplankton (paddlefish crustaceans, crabs, molluscs larvae and fish eggs) and phytoplankton. 

Reproduction

Spawn from October to February (mostly November to January) off the west coast of India, usually in relatively shallow coastal waters. 

Fishing

It's a commercially valuable fish.

Relationship with a person

It is sold in fresh and dried salted form.