| Family: |
Ambassidae (Asiatic glassfishes) |
| Max. size: |
16 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine; pH range: 7.19999980926514 - 8.19999980926514, amphidromous |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: South and East Africa, including Mauritius, Réunion, Madagascar and Seychelles, to Philippines, north to India, south to northern Australia (Ref. 33390). Extends south on African coast at least to Algoa Bay, South Africa (Ref. 4318). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 7-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-10. Description: Depth 2.6-2.9 times in standard length; head 2.7-2.9 times in standard length; eye diameter 3.1-3.4 times in head length (Ref. 4318). Supraorbital spines 1-5, usually 3 or 4; lower edge and angle of preopercle serrate; dorsal 2/3 of vertical preopercle edge smooth; preopercle ridge completely serrate along lower limb; a large retrorse spine on preorbital just below anterior nostril; preorbital ridge smooth or serrate; interopercle smooth except for 1 or rarely 2 small spines (Ref. 4318). A row of minute teeth on vomer, palatines and tongue (Ref. 4218). Dorsal fin with 7-8 spines and 8-10 soft rays; anal fin with 3 spines and 8-10 soft rays; pectoral fin with 14-15 rays (Ref. 4318). Scales on lateral line 27-29, interrupted; predorsal scales 13-16; 2 rows of cheek scales (Ref. 4218). |
| Biology: |
Fairly common in marine and fresh waters (Ref. 4180); found in shallow waters; common in estuaries; may enter lower reaches of rivers. Can tolerate fresh water only within a narrow temperature (23-26°C). Feeds mainly at night on crustaceans, but also takes small fishes, fish eggs and larvae in estuaries (Ref. 7248). Marketed dried, salted and fresh (Ref.97399). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 September 2020 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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