Sardinella zunasi

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colspan=2 style="text-align: center; background-color: transparent" | Sardinella zunasi
colspan=2 style="min-width:15em; text-align: center; background-color: transparent" | Scientific classification
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Species	Template:Taxonomy/Sardinella S. zunasi
colspan=2 style="text-align: center; background-color: transparent" | Binomial name
Template:Taxonomy/Sardinella Sardinella zunasi (Bleeker, 1854)

Sardinella zunasi is a species of ray-finned fish in the family Clupeidae. It is commonly found in the Western Pacific Ocean, particularly in the coastal waters of Japan, Korea, and China.

Description

Sardinella zunasi is a small, pelagic fish that typically grows to a length of about 15 cm. It has a slender, elongated body with a silver coloration and a distinctive dark spot near the gill cover. The species is known for its forked tail and a single dorsal fin located near the middle of its back.

Habitat

This species inhabits coastal waters, often forming large schools. It prefers warm, shallow waters and is commonly found in bays, estuaries, and nearshore environments. Sardinella zunasi is a migratory species, moving to different areas depending on the season and water temperature.

Diet

Sardinella zunasi primarily feeds on plankton, including both phytoplankton and zooplankton. It uses its gill rakers to filter these small organisms from the water.

Reproduction

The reproductive habits of Sardinella zunasi involve spawning in large groups. Spawning typically occurs in the warmer months, with females releasing eggs into the water column, where they are fertilized by males. The eggs are pelagic and hatch into larvae that are carried by currents until they develop into juvenile fish.

Economic Importance

Sardinella zunasi is of significant economic importance in the regions where it is found. It is commonly caught using purse seines and other netting techniques. The fish is used for human consumption, often being processed into dried or salted products. It is also used as bait in various fisheries.

Conservation Status

Currently, there are no major conservation concerns for Sardinella zunasi. However, like many marine species, it could be affected by overfishing and changes in ocean conditions due to climate change.

See Also

• Clupeidae
• Ray-finned fish
• Plankton
• Western Pacific Ocean