Lake Mweru sprat (Microthrissa moeruensis)

Scientific name: Microthrissa moeruensis Poll, 1948

Lake Mweru sprat (Microthrissa moeruensis)

The Lake Mweru sprat (Microthrissa moeruensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Clupeidae. Native range: Africa, Endemic to Lake Mweru in West Africa.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-18; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 16 - 18. Body slender; scutes (about 18) strongly keeled, beginning just behind base of last pectoral fin ray. Snout rather pointed; lower jaw slightly projecting, with small teeth; pre-maxillae with a single row of small teeth; maxilla with blade a little more than 3 times longer than deep, upper edge a little ridged; second supra-maxilla slender, spatulate, with a distinct anterior shaft.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Microthrissa moeruensis
Family
Clupeidae (Herrings, shads and sardines)
Order
Clupeiformes (Herrings)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
3.5
Environment
Freshwater; pelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: Endemic to Lake Mweru in West Africa.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Vulnerable (VU) (B1ab(v))
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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