Atherinomorus stipes (Müller & Troschel, 1848)
Hardhead silverside
photo by Modder, T.

Family:  Atherinidae (Silversides), subfamily: Atherinomorinae
Max. size:  10 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; freshwater; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: southern Florida (USA), Bahamas, and Yucatan, Mexico to Brazil. Southeast Pacific: known only from Tumaco, Colombia (Ref. 9273).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10; Anal soft rays: 9-13. Head wider than body (Ref. 26938).
Biology:  Found over soft bottoms as well as in coral reefs (Ref. 5217). Often in large schools (Ref. 5521). Feeds on zooplankton (Ref. 5217).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 July 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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