Sardinella zunasi (Bleeker, 1854)
Japanese sardinella
Sardinella zunasi
photo by FAO

Family:  Dorosomatidae (Gizzard shads and sardinellas)
Max. size:  18 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range - 5 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Western Pacific: southern coasts of Japan south to about Taiwan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. Total scutes 29 to 32. Vertical striae on scales overlapping or continuous (discontinuous in S. fimbriata and S. albella), only a few small perforations on hind part of scale. No dark spot at dorsal fin origin. Most closely resembles S. richardsoni, which has more gill rakers and has a slightly deeper body; S. hualiensis has black tips to dorsal and caudal fins.
Biology:  Found near shore, including semi-enclosed sea areas, on sandy mud bottom (Ref. 11230). Forms schools in coastal waters. Used in Chinese medicine (Ref. 12166).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 28 February 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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