West African ladyfish (Elops lacerta) fish species and information / pictures of West African ladyfish - Elops lacerta

West African ladyfish (Elops lacerta) fish species information

Scientific Name
Elops lacerta

Common Name
West African ladyfish

Biology
Dorsal spines : 0; Anal spines: 0. Lateral line scales ornamented with non-ramified small tubes. Gray back, silver glossy sides; fins tinted yellow.

Classification

Classified By

Valenciennes, 1847

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Tarpons and Tenpounders (Elopiformes)

Family

Tenpounders (Elopidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Atlantic

Distribution

Eastern Atlantic: coastal waters from Mauritania to Angola or Namibia. Sometimes entering freshwater, like in Cross River and Kouilou-Niari. It is often confused with Elops senegalensis.

Range

21°N - 23°S, 20°W - 15°E

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

50 m

Zone

pelagic-neritic

Environment

Marine; freshwater; brackish; pelagic-neritic; depth range ? - 50 m

Trophic Level

4.24 s.e. 0.75 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

100.0 cm

Common Length

60.0 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: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (42 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming tm=2-3)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)