Description

Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10 - 12. Diagnosis: anal fin with at least 13 (usually 14) rays in total (usually III-11 in adults)(Ref. 81659), 10-11 anal soft rays (Ref. 57400). Scales on flanks cycloid; posterior end of maxilla weakly curved or almost straight; serrate, anteroventral edge of lachrymal weakly concave (Ref. 81659). 12-15 scales in an oblique, transverse series; colour of fins greyish-white; second dorsal, pectoral fins and anal fin distinctly falcate (Ref. 57400).

Common Names

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Mugiliformes

Family: Mugilidae

Genus: Neochelon

Species: Neochelon falcipinnis (Valenciennes, 1836)

Climate Zone

Biology

Euryhaline, tolerating conditions varying from hypersaline to freshwater; favours sandy or muddy substrates (Ref. 81659). Very common in coastal lagoons and estuaries (Ref. 2683, 57400, 81659). Also caught in hypersaline environments (Ref. 57400) and freshwaters (Ref. 7399, 57400, 81659) several kilometres upstream in rivers (Ref. 81659). Feed on plankton and detritus (Ref. 28587). Oviparous, eggs are pelagic and non-adhesive (Ref. 205). Spawning may occur in lagoons or in the sea (Ref. 81659). Possibly reaches up to 500mm FL (Ref. 57400, 81659).

Habitat

freshwater

Conservation Status

Data deficient

Threat to Humans

Harmless