Red Sea Silverside

The 🌊 Red Sea Silverside, scientifically known as Hypoatherina golanii, derives its name from Greek roots: 'hypo' meaning under, and 'atherina', a Greek term for the smelt-like fish. The species designation, 'golanii,' honors Dr. Daniel Golani from the Department of Evolution, Systematics and Ecology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 🇮🇱 Israel.

This marine fish is found in pelagic-neritic, tropical environments and has a maximum recorded length of 7.6 cm. Specimens are typically collected using purse and bag seines, as well as rotenone. The 🌊 Red Sea Silverside is oviparous, exhibiting distinct pairing behavior during the breeding season.

Distinct morphological characteristics of this species include 5 to 8 dorsal spines, 8 to 10 dorsal soft rays, 1 anal spine, 10 to 13 anal soft rays, and 43 to 45 vertebrae. Notable features distinguishing this species are the lack of downward slanting at the posterior end of the maxilla; midlateral scales with indented posterior margins; anterior predorsal scales with a spatular outgrowth on the posterior margin; an axillary scale devoid of a distinct projection at the posterior margin; and a somewhat wide midlateral band whose lower margin extends to or below the ventral end of the midlateral (third) scale row at the level of the anal fin origin.

This species is primarily located in the 🌊 Western Indian Ocean, specifically around 🇮🇱 Israel in the Gulf of Aqaba, 🌊 Red Sea, and is likely endemic to this region.