Jenkinsia lamprotaenia (Gosse, 1851)
Dwarf round herring
Jenkinsia lamprotaenia
photo by Wirtz, P.

Family:  Spratelloididae (Small round herrings)
Max. size:  7.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m
Distribution:  Western Central Atlantic: Bermuda, Florida (USA), Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean south to Tobago. Antilles (Ref. 26938).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Vertebrae: 40-43. Lower gill raker counts, show some correlation with geographical area, suggesting that the species may comprise three races or subspecies. W-shaped pelvic scute; pre-maxillae toothed, 1 supra-maxilla; isthmus slender, but with slight 'shoulders' anteriorly; vertebrae 40 to 43 (usually 42 - Venezuela); silver lateral band not becoming narrower or fading near gill opening (Ref. 188). Chest is slightly keeled. Small anal fin. Faintly greenish above (Ref. 37032).
Biology:  A schooling species usually occurring inshore. Feeds on zooplankton. Preyed upon by many larger fishes and squids (Ref. 5521). Important as live bait for scombrids (Ref. 26340). In 1937, at Kingston, Jamaica it spawns during the winter months. Travels long distance (Ref. 37032).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 November 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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