Thryssa brevicauda Roberts, 1978
Short-tail thryssa
Thryssa brevicauda
photo by FAO

Family:  Engraulidae (Anchovies), subfamily: Coiliinae
Max. size:  7.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: Papua New Guinea (Fly River) and northern Australia (near Darwin).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 32-29. Belly with 14 to 16 + 9 = 23 to 25 keeled scutes from isthmus to anus. Maxilla short, reaching to hind border of pre-operculum; first supra-maxilla short, about half length of second. Pseudobranch long. A diffuse dark saddle on nape; no dark blotch behind gill opening.
Biology:  Presumed marine, pelagic and coastal, but at least the juveniles enter mangrove creeks of rivers, thus tolerating lowered salinities. More data needed.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 July 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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