Sardinella jussieui (Valenciennes, 1847)
Mauritian sardinella
Sardinella jussieui
photo by FAO

Family:  Dorosomatidae (Gizzard shads and sardinellas)
Max. size:  16.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: off Madagascar and Mauritius. Outside distribution probably referring to another species.
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: caudal fin with black posterior margin; black spot on the dorsal-fin origin; lateral body scales with centrally discontinuous vertical striae, no perforations or pores posteriorly; body scales deciduous; pelvic fin with one unbranched and seven branched rays; anal fin with three unbranched and 17-19 (modally 17) branched rays; gill rakers of first gill arch, on upper limb 49-60 (49), lower limb 88-106 (92), total 137-158 (142); scutes on ventral edge of body 17-19 (18) + 12-14 (13) = 29-32 (31); pseudobranchial filaments 15-19 (15); head short, its length 22.7-24.9% SL; anal-fin base long, with length 16.7-18.5% SL; upper jaw relatively short, its length 9.6-10.7% SL; lower jaw is relatively short, its length 10.3-11.7% SL (Ref. 128123).
Biology:  Forms schools in coastal waters.
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 02 March 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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