Marine Life

Smoothbelly sardinella

Maarehi

Amblygaster leiogaster

Amblygaster leiogaster is not a common species in the Maldives, as this is the first record of its occurrence in the area. This may be due to the fact that it is not usually caught by the fishing gears used in the region; the specimen reported here was taken during an experimental fishing trip conducted by the Marine Research Station using gillnets on April 25th, 1996.

Details

§ 01

size: Common to 15 cm; max. 23 cm
color: Back blue-green, flanks silvery and without spots. Dorsal fin dusky.
order: Clupeiformes
family: Clupeidae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/amblygaster-leiogaster.png
habitat and biology: Typically found in pelagic and inshore habitats, these fish form schools in shallow coastal areas.
distinctive characters: The body is moderately slender, with scutes that are not prominent. There are 31-35 lower gill rakers on the first gill arch, and the pelvic fin has 8 rays. The last two anal fin rays are enlarged, and the fronto-parietal bones on the top of the head have 7-14 striations. The upper and lower bulges on the supremaxillary bone are symmetrical.