HomeFish encyclopediaRay-finned fishesHerringsHerrings, shads and sardinesBigtoothed pellonula Bigtoothed pellonula (Pellonula vorax) Scientific name: Pellonula vorax G?nther, 1868 The Bigtoothed pellonula (Pellonula vorax) is a freshwater fish of the family Clupeidae. Native range: Africa, in rivers from Liberia to Angola. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-19; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 16 - 27. Body moderately deep, compressed. Scutes (20 to 25 total) beginning at isthmus, the first usually long; 12-16 prepelvic; 8-10 postpelvic. First dorsal ray slightly in front or behind the insertion of the pelvic fin. Length of pectoral fin generally exceeding half of the pectoral-pelvic distance. First anal ray markedly inserted behind the level of the last dorsal ray. Lower jaw slightly projecting, teeth at symphysis large in large fishes; pre-maxillary teeth strong, fairly straight, pointing forward in some fishes and an indented toothless gap at center of jaw. Lower gill rakers long. Silver stripe along flank. With 21-26 abdominal vertebra; 17-23 caudal vertebra; 10-12 predorsal bones. Color varies between yellow-brown and yellow gray in alcohol.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific namePellonula voraxFamilyClupeidae (Herrings, shads and sardines)OrderClupeiformes (Herrings)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length12.0EnvironmentMarine; freshwater; brackish; pelagic-neritic; anadromousClimateTropicalDistributionAfrica: in rivers from Liberia to Angola.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: subsistence fisheriesResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026