| Family: |
Dorosomatidae (Gizzard shads and sardinellas) |
| Max. size: |
17 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Indian Ocean: Arabian Sea, from Gulf of Aden to the Persian Gulf and Bombay. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-21; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-23. Total number of scutes 31 to 34; lower gill rakers increasing with size of fish. Vertical striae on scales not meeting at center, only a few small perforations on hind part of scale. Closely resembles S. gibbosa which has fewer perforations on its scales. Of other sympatric Sardinella species, S. melanura has distinctive black caudal tips while S. albella has fewer scutes. |
| Biology: |
Coastal pelagic (Ref. 68964). Forms schools in coastal waters. Marketed fresh and dried-salted. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 July 2017 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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