ATHERINIDAE


Hypoatherina valenciennei, 6.7 cm SL
(photo by Seishi Kimura)


Hypoatherina valenciennei
(Bleeker, 1853)
Sumatran Silverside

D IV-VII + I, 8-10; A I, 10-13; P1 14-16; LR 40-46; LGR 22-26.

Body elongated, compressed, somewhat deep (body depth 16-18%SL). Mouth small, upper jaw just reaching to a vertical through front margin of eye or slightly beyond it; ascending process of premaxilla moderately long and slender; dentary notably elevated posteriorly; preopercle notched. Anus situated in front of pelvic fin tips. Hind margin of lateral scales obviously crenulated. Color: greenish gray dorsally, whitish below; a narrow (less than 1 scale width) silvery longitudinal band on side, not extending to caudal fin; one or two rows of dark spots usually present below midlateral band. Size: maximum length about 11 cm SL. Distribution: widely distributed in eastern Indian Ocean and West Pacific, from India to New Hebrides Is, north to Japan and Korea. Remarks: occurring in beaches, seagrass and mangrove areas, and estuaries.