The Wide-banded Hardyhead Silverside, Hardyhead Silverside (Atherinomorous lacunosus) is a common and widespread fish species belonging to the family Atherinidae. This species is known for its distinctive silver coloration, slender body, and the prominent wide bands running along its flanks. It is a relatively small fish, reaching a maximum size of 25.0 cm.
Description & Characteristics
The Wide-banded Hardyhead Silverside, Hardyhead Silverside (Atherinomorous lacunosus) has a streamlined body with a slightly compressed profile. It is typically silver in color, with a series of dark, wide bands running vertically along its sides. These bands often appear more pronounced on the upper half of the fish. The species possesses a slightly pointed snout and a small, terminal mouth. Its fins are clear and relatively small, with the dorsal fin situated slightly behind the middle of the body.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Wide-banded Hardyhead Silverside, Hardyhead Silverside (Atherinomorous lacunosus) is a common inhabitant of coastal waters and estuaries, typically found in depths ranging from 1.0 to 39.0 meters. It is a highly adaptable species that thrives in a variety of marine environments, including the neritic zone, which encompasses the waters extending from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf. This species is widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, making it a prevalent presence in these aquatic ecosystems.
Taxonomy
The species Atherinomorous lacunosus belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Atheriniformes, and Family: Atherinidae. The Atheriniformes order is a large and diverse group that includes over 200 species of fish, characterized by their slender, fusiform bodies and a generally silvery coloration. The Atherinidae family, also known as silversides, consists of about 100 species of small, schooling fish that are found in both freshwater and saltwater environments.
Feeding
The Wide-banded Hardyhead Silverside, Hardyhead Silverside (Atherinomorous lacunosus) is a zooplanktivore, meaning it primarily feeds on zooplankton. Its diet consists of a variety of small invertebrates, including copepods, krill, mysis, zoanthids, and other small crustaceans. This fish is an important part of the marine food web, serving as prey for larger fish, seabirds, and other marine predators.
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