Zenarchopterus gilli Smith, 1945
Viviparous halfbeak
Zenarchopterus gilli
photo by Winterbottom, R.

Family:  Zenarchopteridae (Internally fertilized halfbeaks)
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range - 0 m, amphidromous
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Madagascar, Mozambique, Seychelles Island, Andaman Islands, East Indies, Caroline Islands, Fiji, Guam and northern Australia. Also India (Ref. 43081)
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 11-13; Vertebrae: 38-39. Upper jaw about as long as wide. Top of snout uniform brown. Sixth anal ray of males greatly enlarged and elongated, reaching the tip of the caudal fin in adults. Fourth dorsal ray of adult males elongated, thickened distally, curving back to the base of the caudal fin. Vertebrae 38-39. Dorsal rays 10 in females and 11 or 12 in males. Anal rays 10-12 in females and 13 in males. Description: Characterized by greyish color on back and silvery white below; upper jaw with scales; elongate and pointed nasal papilla, extending well outside of nasal opening; rounded caudal fin (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found mainly in marine waters, but enter estuaries and tidal rivers (Ref. 4833) and mangrove areas (Ref. 48635).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 November 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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