Dussumieria elopsoides Bleeker, 1849
Slender rainbow sardine
Dussumieria elopsoides
photo by Gloerfelt-Tarp, T.

Family:  Dussumieriidae (Round herrings)
Max. size:  20 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Suez and western Indian Ocean (the Persian Gulf to Mombasa; possibly to Madagascar) to China, the Arafura Sea (Ref. 9819) and to about Tonga. Previous records of Dussumieria acuta from northeastern Indian Ocean would refer to this species (Ref. 5978).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-18; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 14-18. Branchiostegal rays more (13 to 17) and no striae on posterior part of scales; pelvic fins more advanced; W-shaped pelvic scute; isthmus with tapering evenly forward; more anal fin rays.
Biology:  Pelagic inshore (Ref. 68964). The habitat and biology are presumably similar to those of D. acuta from which this species was not distinguished in earlier studies. Marketed fresh, may be dried or salted (Ref. 5284).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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