Stellifer menezesi Chao, Carvalho-Filho & Andrade Santos, 2021
Brazilian stardrum
Stellifer menezesi
photo by Chao et al., 2021

Family:  Sciaenidae (Drums or croakers)
Max. size:  10.2 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine
Distribution:  Southwest Atlantic: Brazil.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23-24; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 6-8. This species is distinguished from its congeners in the Atlantic with a terminal or oblique mouth by the following characters: with an inferior mouth and elongated body; absence of diverticula on the posterior margin of anterior gas bladder chamber (distinguishes it from microps, naso, venezuelae); body depth slightly greater than HL and the snout length is shorter than the eye diameter; anterior nostril is slightly oval and forward directed, and the posterior nostril is bean-shaped forming an angle between them (Ref. 125562).
Biology:  This species is rather common in inshore waters, from the surf zone to estuaries along the northeastern Brazilian coast. Occurs near beaches with accumulations of detached macrophytes, mostly between September and February, feeding on amphipods and other crustaceans (Ref. 125562).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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