Gerres phaiya Iwatsuki & Heemstra, 2001
Strong spined silver-biddy
photo by Francis, P.

Family:  Gerreidae (Mojarras)
Max. size:  13.7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: southwest coast of India; probably also in Bengal Bay and the Andaman Sea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-7. When fresh, upper surface of head and trunk silvery, golden-brown, grading to silver on abdomen. Pelvic and anal fins yellow, first few rays of pelvic fin with a white distal margin or whitish-hyaline posteriorly; caudal fin yellowish-dusky with slightly whitish lower margin posteriorly, lobes usually broadly rounded posteriorly; dorsal and pectoral fins yellowish-hyaline; trunk with approximately 6-10 vertical dusky bars (about half width of pupil diameter), more apparent when stressed or when preserved. Number of scales between the base of the 5th dorsal fin spine and lateral line 4-4.5. Second dorsal fin spine longest, 23-27% SL (mean 25%). Supraneural bones 3 (Ref. 41102).
Biology:  Specimens collected in shallow coastal or estuarine areas (Ref. 41102).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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