ATHERINIDAE


Atherinomorus duodecimalis, FRLM 28697, 7.1 cm SL

Atherinomorus duodecimalis (Valenciennes, 1835)
Tropical silverside

D V - VI - I, 8 - 11; A I, 11 - 14 (usually I, 12 - 13); P1 14 - 17; LR 35 - 38; LGR 20 - 25. Body slender; somewhat compressed. Mouth small, upper jaw just reaching to a vertical through front margin of eye or slightly beyond it; ascending process of premaxilla short and broad; dentary with a tubercle at the posterior end; preopercle notched. Anus situated in front of pelvic fin tips. Hind margin of lateral scales entire. Color: greenish gray dorsally; a narrow (less than 1 scale width) silvery longitudinal band on side; one or two rows of dark spots usually present below midlateral band. Size: maximum length about 10 cm. Distribution: East Indian Ocean and West Pacific, from Sri Lanka to New Caledonia. Remarks: occurring in beaches and seagrass area.