Pacific ladyfish (Elops affinis) fish species and information / pictures of Pacific ladyfish - Elops affinis

Pacific ladyfish (Elops affinis) fish species information

Scientific Name
Elops affinis

Common Name
Pacific ladyfish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20-27; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12 - 18; Vertebrae: 78 - 82. Body slender and elongate; mouth large and terminal; bony plate present between branches of lower jaw; branchiostegal rays very numerous (25 to 35); fins lacking spines; lower branch of first gill arch with 16 to 20 gill rakers; scales very small, 100 to 120 in the lateral line; back dark blue-green to light brown; flanks silvery with slight yellow highlights; fins slightly yellowish (ref. 55763). Caudal rays: principal (10+8-9), procurrent (upper:8, lower: 8) Branchiostegal rays: 23-35

Classification

Classified By
Regan, 1909
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Tarpons and Tenpounders (Elopiformes)
Family
Tenpounders (Elopidae)

Distribution

Region
Eastern Pacific
Distribution
Eastern Pacific: Mandalay Beach, southern California, USA to Peru, including the Gulf of California.
Range
Unknown

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
0 m
Depth To - meters
8 m
Zone
pelagic-neritic
Environment
Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 8 m (Ref. 5227)
Trophic Level
4.05 s.e. 0.70 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
91.0 cm
Common Length
50.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5176 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes
Vulnerability
Moderate to high vulnerability (48 of 100)
Resilience
Unknown
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Least Concern (LC)