Thryssa rastrosa Roberts, 1978
Fly river thryssa
Thryssa rastrosa
photo by FAO

Family:  Engraulidae (Anchovies), subfamily: Coiliinae
Max. size:  12 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Oceania: known only from the Fly River, Papua New Guinea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 29-36. Belly with 17 to 19 + 10 or 11 = 27 to 29 keeled scutes from isthmus to anus. Maxilla short, not quite reaching to hind border of pre-operculum; first supra-maxilla short, not more than half length of second. No black area behind upper part of gill opening.
Biology:  Inhabits turbid channels of large rivers, also lakes and swampy backwaters (Ref. 2847). The very high number of gillrakers suggests filter-feeding habit (Ref. 189). Feeds on plankton including calanoid copepods (Ref. 2847).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 17 July 2017 (B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,v)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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