Neoopisthopterus tropicus (Hildebrand, 1946)
Tropical longfin herring
Neoopisthopterus tropicus
photo by Robertson, R.

Family:  Pristigasteridae (Pristigasterids)
Max. size:  11.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: Gulf of California to the northern tip of Peru.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 43-48. Belly with around 26 scutes. Lower jaw not strongly projecting; hind tip of maxilla meets lower bulge of maxilla blade and is overlapped by it; teeth very small or minute. Dorsal fin well behind midpoint of body; anal fin long, its origin before dorsal fin origin. A silver band along flank.
Biology:  Occurs in coastal waters and off river mouths (e.g. Río Mayo, Gulf of California) thus perhaps tolerating lowered salinities. Feeds on planktonic crustaceans. Spawns over an extended period off Costa Rica.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 March 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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