Big-scale sand smelt
Big-scale sand smelt (Atherina boyeri) is a species of fish in the family Atherinidae. It is commonly found in the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and the Sea of Azov. This species is known for its adaptability to various salinity levels, inhabiting both marine and brackish waters.
Description[edit | edit source]
The big-scale sand smelt is a small fish, typically reaching a length of 8-10 cm, although some individuals can grow up to 15 cm. It has a slender, elongated body with a silvery appearance. The scales are relatively large, which is a distinguishing feature of this species. The dorsal fin is divided into two parts, with the first part being spiny and the second part soft-rayed.
Habitat[edit | edit source]
Big-scale sand smelt is found in coastal waters, estuaries, and lagoons. It prefers shallow waters with sandy or muddy bottoms. This species is highly adaptable and can tolerate a wide range of salinities, from freshwater to hypersaline conditions.
Diet[edit | edit source]
The diet of the big-scale sand smelt consists mainly of small crustaceans, zooplankton, and insect larvae. It is an opportunistic feeder, adjusting its diet based on the availability of food sources in its habitat.
Reproduction[edit | edit source]
Big-scale sand smelt spawns in the spring and summer months. The species is known for its high fecundity, with females laying thousands of eggs. The eggs are adhesive and attach to submerged vegetation or other surfaces in the water. The larvae are planktonic and undergo several developmental stages before reaching adulthood.
Economic Importance[edit | edit source]
This species is of minor commercial importance. It is often caught as bycatch in fishing operations targeting other species. In some regions, it is used as bait in recreational fishing.
Conservation Status[edit | edit source]
The big-scale sand smelt is not currently listed as threatened or endangered. However, its populations can be affected by changes in water quality, habitat destruction, and overfishing.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Categories[edit | edit source]
 | This fish-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
