Gilchristella
| Gilchristella aestuaria | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Division: | Teleostei |
| Order: | Clupeiformes |
| Family: | Ehiravidae |
| Genus: | Gilchristella Fowler, 1935 |
| Species: | G. aestuaria |
| Binomial name | |
| Gilchristella aestuaria (Gilchrist, 1913) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Spratelloides aestuarius Gilchrist, 1913 | |
Gilchristella aestuaria, the Gilchrist's round herring or estuarine round-herring,[2] is a member of the family Ehiravidae that occurs off the coasts of Southern Africa. It is the only species in its genus, which was named for John Dow Fisher Gilchrist (1866–1926).[3]
Information
[edit]There are no indications of major threats to this species. It is considered to be of least concern for becoming an endangered species.[1]
Size
[edit]The average length of the G. aestuaria as an unsexed male is about ten centimeters.[4]
Habitat
[edit]The Gilchristella aestuaria can be found in a marine environment and in freshwater. The habitat is located in subtropical climates. This species is primarily found in estuaries, lagoons, lakes, and rivers.[4] It is considered an extremely important fish in estuaries of South Africa .[5] This small sardine-like fish lives in large shoals and provides an important link in the food chain as a food source to larger fish and water birds.[5] This fish does not survive in an aquarium, presumably dying from capture myopathy or stress.[5]
Distribution
[edit]The Gilchristella aestuaria is distributed throughout the following areas:
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Bills, R. (2007). "Gilchristella aestuaria". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007 e.T63245A12644478. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T63245A12644478.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ↑ "Gilchristella aestuaria Estuarine round-herring". Animal Diversity. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
- ↑ "John Dow Fisher Gilchrist". Neglected Science. 2011. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- 1 2 3 "Gilchristella aestuaria". Fish Base. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
- 1 2 3 Paul Skelton (1993). A Complete Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa. Southern Book Publishers. p. 390. ISBN 1-86812-350-2.
External links
[edit]- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Gilchristella aestuaria". FishBase. June 2011 version.