The Gudgeon Silverside (Hypoatherina temminckii) is a marine, reef-associated species predominantly found in tropical coastal waters and harbors at depths ranging from 1 to 8 meters. It can reach a maximum length of 12 centimeters. This species plays a significant ecological role as it serves as a vital food source for larger commercial fish and is commonly utilized as bait in the tuna fishery.
Morphologically, the Gudgeon Silverside is characterized by having 6 to 8 dorsal spines, 8 to 10 dorsal soft rays, 1 anal spine, and 11 to 14 anal soft rays. It features a distinctive transparent, blue-green coloration with a silvery midlateral stripe and abdomen. Among its anatomical features, the ascending process of the premaxilla is moderately long and narrow, while the lateral process is short and wide. Additionally, the ramus of the dentary is highly elevated posteriorly, and the species may exhibit two rows of pigment spots below the lateral band.
Reproductively, the Gudgeon Silverside is oviparous with distinct pairing observed during the breeding season. Geographically, its distribution spans across the Indo-Pacific region, including the 🌊 Red Sea, Delagoa Bay in 🇲🇿 Mozambique, the 🌊 Persian Gulf, and extends eastward to the 🇨🇰 Cook Islands, northward to the Caroline Islands, and southward to Queensland, 🇦🇺 Australia.
Why it's threatened
Hypoatherina temminckii is fished commercially and used as bait (Lewis et al. 1983, Ivantsoff 1984).
Threat classification from the IUCN Red List.
