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ATHER

1983

FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS

FISHING AREA 51
(W. Indian Ocean)

ATHERINIDAE

Silversides

Elongate and somewhat compressed silvery fishes, rarely exceeding 12 cm total length in Fishing Area 51.
Mouth generally small, oblique and terminally placed; premaxilla with ascending process of variable length, its
lateral process present or absent; ramus of dentary bone elevated posteriorly or indistinct from anterior part of
lower jaw,* protrusibility of jaws variable; teeth present or absent in jaws, palatines, pterygoids (roof of mouth) or
on outside of mouth; gill rakers variable, from short and stubby to long and slender ranging in number, from few to
many (10 to 26) on lower limb of first gill arch. Dorsal fins widely separated, the first with a variable number of
small, flexible spines, originating in front of, or behind, vertical through tips of pelvic fins; second dorsal and anal
fins with 1 weak spine, 1 unbranched ray and a variable number of branched rays, anal fin always originating slightly
in advance of second dorsal; pectoral fins set high on body, directly behind posterior rim of gill cover, their spine
greatly reduced, their first ray much thicker than those following; pelvic fins with I spine and 5 rays; caudal fin
moderately forked. Anus in front or behind pelvic fin tips. Lateral line absent. Scales cycloid (smooth to touch),
moderately large; midlateral scales usually with a pore or pit; axillary pelvic scales often present.

Colour: in life, blue green, green or olive on back, translucent

with scales well delineated by small chromatophores above midlateral
band; sides of head and body, as well as abdomen silvery; midlateral
band usually distinct and running from upper margin of pectoral fin to maxilla
caudal fin, but sometimes blending with the silvery abdomen ante-
riorly. Fins clear or dusky; a blotch on pectorals present in some
species.
Earlier workers aligned this family with mullets and barracudas.
Present opinion of many authors suggests that they are more closely
related to cyprinodontids, poeciliids and hemiramphids.

Only 2 species in Fishing Area 51 are of large enough size to be

of value as human food. These are Atherina breviceps and Atheri-
nomorus lacunosus. The latter is known to aggr egate in large schools,
possibly in commercial quantities while A. breviceps schools in much
smaller numbers. These and other species, however, are very dentary bone
important as forage for commercial fishes and they are also widely
used as bait.

midlateral stripe
(but no lateral line)

1 spine

* The shape of the premaxilla (in upper jaw) and of the dentary bone (in lower jaw) is rather characteristic in
some species and can be used as a diagnostic character to confirm the identification of some species. To see
these bones clearly, it is advisable to scrape off the skin of the upper and lower jaws, and to use a magnifying
glass
 -2-

Fishing Area 51

SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: often an no midlateral

adipose stripe
eyelid
Mugilidae: head broad and flattened, snout
blunt; first dorsal fin with 4 slender spines, anal fin
with 3 spines (1 in Atherinidae); eyes often covered
with adipose lids; scales frequently ctenoid (rough to
touch) on sides of head; never a single midlateral
band on body.
3 spines Mugilidae
Engraulidae: a single dorsal fin; no spines in
fins; pectoral fins low on body; mouth very large, 1 dorsal fin
snout blunt and projecting.

Engraulidae

KEY TO MARINE AND BRACKISH-WATER GENERA OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

1a. Preopercular notch present (Figs 1, 2)

2a. Free edge of premaxilla notched teeth

anteriorly; teeth in both jaws small
but well developed, curving inward;
snout noticeably pointed (Fig. 2) ...... Teramulus

2b. Free edge of premaxilla relatively notch on anterior notch on

straight or slightly convex; teeth
edge of preopercle free edge preopercular
in jaws insignificant; snout blunt or
rounded. Fig.1 of premaxilla notch
Teramulus Fig. 2
3a. Ascending premaxillary pro-
cess short and broad, its
length about 1/4 of eye dia-
meter; lateral process of pre-
maxilla broad and flat; den- ascending
tary bone sloping gently process
upward and backward, with
or without a slight tubercle- ascending
like elevation at distal end lateral
process
(Fig. 3a) .…....................... Atherinomorus process

3b. Ascending premaxillary pro- lateral

cess moderately long and process
narrow, 1/3 to 1/2 of eye
diameter: lateral process
broad and short; dentary bone premaxilla
sloping strongly upward and free edge with distal (hind)
backward, with posterior upper jaw teeth end
ramus highly elevated (Fig.
3b) .................................. Hypoatherina
posterior
ramus
1b. Preopercular notch absent
lower jaw
teeth

dentary bone

a) Atherlnomorus b).Hypoatherina Fig.3

 -3-

FAO Sheets ATHERINIDAE Fishing Area 51

shagreen denticles

4 a. Shagreen denticles present outside mouth on

lower jaw and on sides of face; origin of
dorsal fin always behind vertical through
tips of pelvics; ascending premaxillary pro-
cess short, its width about equal to its
length; gill rakers short and few in number,
10 to 11 on first lower gill arch; anus well
behind tips of pelvics; about 5 scale rows
along sides of body (Fig. 4a) ....................... Atherion
4 b. No shagreen denticles outside mouth; origin
about 5 scale rows
of first dorsal fin in front of vertical
through tips of pelvics; ascending process of
premaxilla moderately long, at least twice
as long as wide; gill rakers long, 17 to 20 on
first lower gill arch; anus at or in front of
pelvic fin tips; more than 7 transverse scale
rows along sides of body (Fig. 4b) ................ Atherina anus
a) Atherion

more than 7
scale rows

anus
b) Atherina Fig. 4

LIST OF SPECIES OCCURING IN THE AREA*:

Code numbers are given for those species for which Identification Sheets are included

Atherina breviceps Valenciennes, 1835 ATHER Ather 1

Atherinomorus duodecimalis (Valenciennes, 1835) ATHER Atherinom 1

Atherinomorus lacunosus Forster, 1801) ATHER Atherinom 2

Atherion africanus Smith, 1965 ATHER Atherion 1

Hypoatherina barnesi Schultz, 1953 ATHER Hypo 1

Hypoatherina temminckii (Sleeker, 1B53) ATHER Hypo 2

Teramulus kieneri Smith, 1965 ATHER Ter 1

Prepared by W. Ivantsoff, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2113 Australia

* includes marine and brackish-water specis but not those confined to fresh water
 ATHER Ather 1

1983
FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS

FAMILY: ATHERINIDAE FISHING AREA 51

(W. Indian Ocean)

Atherina breviceps Valenciennes, 1835

OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None

VERNACULAR NAMES:
FAO : En - Cape silverside
Fr - Athérine du Cap
Sp - Pejerrey del Cabo

NATIONAL:

DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS:

A moderately large silverside, relatively deep-bodied and com-

pressed. Head small, without shagreen denticles on external surface; teeth
in jaws very small; roof of mouth with vorrier and palatines frequently
toothed, and a strong ridge of teeth always present on mesopterygoids;
some specimens with papillae on tongue; premaxilla extending backward
slightly past vertical through anterior margin of orbit, its ascending
process moderately long, always more than twice its width, lateral process
only a small, broad elevation; dentary bone sloping strongly backward and
upward, its posterior part highly elevated; hind edge of preopercle
unnotched somewhat oblique, but not extending backward to form a lobe,
anterior edge without a concavity; gill rakers moderately long, slender,
slightly smaller, equal to or just larger than diameter of pupil, 17 to 20 in
lower limb of first gill arch. Anus usually in front of or at pelvic fin tips.
First dorsal consisting of 5 to 8 spines, second dorsal of 1 spine, and 11 to
15 soft rays; anal fin with 1 spine and 15 to 1.8 soft rays; pectoral fins with
13 to 16 rays. Vertebral count about 46. Body scales smaller than in all
other species of silversides in area. Midlateral scale count 44 to 50; premaxilla and dentary bone
predorsal scales 21 to 28, interdorsal scales 8 to 12, 7 to 11 transverse
scale rows along sides of body.

Colour: translucent, silvery with a brilliant lateral stripe and dark spots, top of snout dusky, according to
Smith (1965) (preserved specimens brown or yellow brown). Edges of scales outlined by fine chromatophores on
back. Midlateral stripe dark or silvery; fine dark spots sometimes present above stripe; body below stripe pale
with almost no pigmentation. Fins more or less clear, except for the caudal, which may be dusky. Preopercle and
opercle silvery, upper surface of head dark.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

All other silversides in the area: 6 or less shagreen denticles

transverse scale rows along sides of body (more
than 7 in A. breviceps). Further distinguishing
characters of these other species are the
following:
Atherion africanus: shagreen denticles pre-
sent on lower jaw and sides of face; origin of first
dorsal fin always behind vertical through tips of
pelvics (in front of pelvic tips in A. breviceps;
about 5 scale rows along sides of body, 7 or more
in A. breviceps). about 5 scale rows
Atherinomorus, Hypoatherina and Teramulus
species: a distinct notch present on anterior
edge of preopercle.

SIZE:
Atherion africanus
Maximum: about 11 cm; common to 7.5 cm. 7 or more scale rows

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR:

Appears to have narrow range. Restricted to

the Cape and east coast of Africa, probably not
much further north than Natal.
Atherira breviceps
Seen in small shoals especially in spring
along south coast and estuaries of South Africa.

PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS:

Coastal waters and estuaries within its range.
Not known to be abundant.
preopercular
notch
Atherinomorus, Hypoatherina
CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION:
and Teramulus species
Separate statistics are not reported for this
species.

Caught with seines.

Utilized in subsistence type fishery. Preyed

upon heavily by sea birds and other fishes.
 ATHER Atherinom 1

1983

FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS

FAMILY: ATHERINIDAE FISHING AREA 51

(W. Indian Ocean)

Atherinomorus duodecimalis (Valenciennes, 1835)

OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE : Pranesus duodecimalis

Allanetta duodecimals

VERNACULAR NAMES:

FAO: En - Tropical silverside

Fr - Athérine tropicale
Sp - Pejerrey tropical

NATIONAL:

DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS:
Rather small but robust. Body subcylindrical, compressed. Head and eyes moderately large; outer surface of
premaxilla frequently covered with fine denticles scarcely visible to naked eye, but no shagreen denticles
elsewhere on head; teeth in several rows in both jaws; on roof of mouth, teeth usually distinctly visible (but may be
weak or lacking) on palatines, ectopterygoids and mesopterygoids; teeth also present around edge of tongue; distal
end of upper jaw extending backward slightly beyond vertical through anterior border of orbit, its ascending process
moderately short and wide; dentary bone sloping backward and upward, with a distinct tubercle-like elevation at its
distal end; posterior edge of preopercle more or less straight and not projected into a lobe: anterior edge with a
distinct notch above angle; gill rakers moderately long, slightly less than diameter of pupil, 21 to 25 on lower limb
of gill arch. Anus in front of pelvic fin tips. First dorsal fin consisting of 4 to 6 spines, second dorsal of 1 spine and
9 or 10 soft rays; anal fin with 1 spine and 12 or 13 soft rays; pectoral fins with 14 to 17 rays. Vertebral count 35
to 37. Body scales large; midlateral scale count: 33 to 38; predorsal scales 17 to 19, interdorsal scales 6 or 7; about
5 transverse rows of scales along sides of body.
Colour: greenish above, whitish below when alive with a silvery midlateral stripe (preserved specimens
brown-green with black midlateral stripe). Edges of scales on back with numerous small chromatophores. rows of
spots on third and fourth row of scales extending from about tips of pectorals to origin of anal fin or slightly
beyond.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES

OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

Atherinomorus lacunosus: size larger: distal

end of upper, jaw extending backward at least to
vertical through anterior margin of pupil (only
slightly beyond anterior margin of orbit in A.
duodecimalis); no elevation on posterior end of
dentary bone; midlateral scale coos 39 to 44 (33
to 38 in A. dusdicimalis) A. lacunosus A. duodecimalis
 Hypoatherina species: ascending premaxil-
lary process moderately long and narrow, its ascending
length 1/3 to 1/2 of eye diameter (short and Ascending
process process
broad, about 1/4 of diameter in Atherinomorus);
lateral process broad and short (broad and flat in
Atherinornorus); posterior ramus of dentary bone lateral lateral
highly elevated. process
process
Teramulus kieneri: snout noticeably
pointed; free edge of premaxilla notched ante- free edge with
riorly; teeth in both jaws small but well upper jaw teeth
developed, curving inward.

Atherion africanus and Atherina breviceps: premaxilla distal (hind)

anterior edge of preopercle without a notch. lower jaw teeth end
Furthermore, distinct shagreen-like denticles on
head of A. africanus, and body much deeper in A.
breviceps. posterior
ramus

SIZE:
dentary
Maximum: 9 cm. bone
Atherinomorus Hypoatherina

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR:

This species has previously been known only

from the Central Pacific to New Guinea,
Indonesia and Thailand. Unpublished records indi-
cate its presence in Madagascar and Sri Lanka.

teeth
PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS: notch on free
edge of premaxilla
Coastal waters within its range.
Teramulus kieneri

CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION:

Separate statistics are not reported for this

species.

Caught mainly with seines.

Unlikely to be of any importance commer-

cially. Important as forage food species to larger
commercial fish and as bait fish.
 ATHER Atherinom 2

1983

FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS

FAMILY: ATHERINIDAE FISHING AREA 51

(W. Indian Ocean)

Atherinomorus lacunosus (Forster, 1801)

OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE : Pranesus pinguis (Lacepède, 1803)

Atherina forskalii Rüppell, 1838
Pranesus pinguis rüppelli Smith, 1965

VERNACULAR NAMES:

FAO : En - Hardyhead silverside

Fr - Athérine têtu
Sp - Pejerrey cabezón

NATIONAL:

DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS

One of the largest and most robust silversides occurring in the area. Body subcylindrical, compressed. Head
and eyes moderately large, outer surface of premaxilla frequently covered with fine denticles, scarcely visible to
naked eye, but no shagreen denticles elsewhere on head; teeth in jaws small, villiform, usually in more than one row
on premaxilla; teeth also present on roof of mouth (palatines, vomer, sometimes on ectopterygoids); distal end of
upper jaw extending backward to vertical through anterior border of pupil, its ascending process short and blunt,
lateral process low and broad; dentary bone gently sloping upward and backward, but never elevated posteriorly,
posterior edge of preopercle straight, anterior edge with a distinct notch above angle; gill, rakers long, slender
equal to, or longer than diameter of pupil, 18 to 25 on lower limb of first gill arch. Anus at or slightly in front of
pelvic tips. First dorsal fin consisting of 4 to 7 spines, second dorsal of 1 spine and 8 to 11 rays; anal fin with 1
spine and 12 to 17 soft rays; pectoral fins with 14 to 17 rays. Vertebral count 38 to 43. Body scales large;
midlateral scale count 39 to 44, predorsal scales 17 to 22, interdorsal scales 6 to 9; 5 transverse scale rows along
sides of body.

Colour: blue-green and translucent in life, with silvery parts of abdomen and head frequently highly
iridescent; midlateral stripe wider than one scale row along side, silvery and often merging with silvery abdomen on
anterior part of body; opercle and iris silvery; upper surface of head heavily pigmented. Scales on back usually
outlined with small chromatophores. Fins clear to dusky, the pectorals frequently with a blackish blotch. Preserved
specimens green to brown green, midlateral stripe brown to black, pectoral blotch frequently faded.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

Atherinomorus duodecimalis: size smaller;

distal end of upper jaw not extending backward to
anterior margin of pupil; fewer midlateral scales,
33 to 39 (39 to 44 in A. lacunosus); a distinct
tubercle-like elevation on posterior end of den-
tary bone.
Hypoatherina species: ascending premaxil-
lary process moderately long and narrow, its
length 1/3 to 1/2 of eye diameter (short and A. duodecimalis A. lacunosus
broad, about 1/4 of diameter in Atherinomorus);
lateral process broad and short (broad and flat in ascendig ascendig
Atherinomorus); posterior ramus of dentary bone process process
highly elevated.
lateral lateral
Teramulus kieneri: snout noticeably
process process
pointed; free edge of premaxilla notched ante-
riorly; teeth in both jaws small but well deve-
loped, curving inward. free edge with
upper jaw teeth
Atherion africanus and Atherina breviceps:
anterior edge of preopercle without a notch. premaxilla
Furthermore, distinct shagreen-like denticles on distal (hind)
head of A. africanus, and body much deeper in A. lower jaw teeth end
breviceps.

SIZE: posterior
ramus
Maximum: 15 cm Atherinomorus
dentary bone
Hypoatherina
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR:

An ubiquitous species occurring throughout

the Indian Ocean and Central Pacific; also
extending into the southeastern Mediterranean. teeth

During the day, this species aggregates in notch on free

large inactive schools which lie close to shore. edge of premaxilla Teramulus
Feeding takes place mostly at night. Food
items include planktonic eggs, crustaceans and
small fish such as Clupea and Sardinella spp.,
foraminiferans, ostracods and copepods, most
plankton being less than 0.5 mm in greatest
dimension.
PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS:

Coastal waters within its range.

CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION:

Separate statistics are not reported for this

species.

Caught mainly with seines.

Could be of importance to subsistence type of

fishery but unlikely to be of commercial value.
Extremely important as forage fish for larger
species. Also of importance as bait.

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