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Family
Pristigasteridae (Longfin Herrings)
Species Currently in the DFL
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About This Family
Distribution:
Tropical and subtropical Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, some in freshwater in South America and Southeast Asia.
Habitat:
Coastal, occasionally entering estuaries, four species in freshwater.
Remarks:
These species are called longfin herrings because of their distinctive anal fins, which have at least 30 fin rays and as many as 92. Unlike nearly all other teleosts whose predorsal bones are inclined posterodorsally, the predorsal bones of longfin herrings are oriented vertically or inclined forward. In addition the mouth is superior or terminal and the teeth in the jaw are very small. (Only members of the genus Chirocentrodon have canines.) Some species have adipose eyelids but with a broad, vertical opening medially. These fishes also have abdominal scutes.
The maximum length is 55 cm SL, but most species are less than 25 cm.
The family comprises nine genera and 34 spps.
References:
Munroe, pp. 795-803, in: Carpenter 2002;
Nelson 2006