Estuarine Round-herring

''Gilchristella aestuaria'', the Gilchrist's round herring or estuarine round-herring, is a member of the herring family Clupeidae that occurs off the coasts of Southern Africa. It is the only species in its genus, which was named for John Dow Fisher Gilchrist (1866–1926).

Information

There are no indications of major threats to this species. It is considered to be of least concern for becoming an endangered species.

Size

The average length of the ''G. aestuaria'' as an unsexed male is about ten centimeters.

Habitat

The ''Gilchristella aestuaria'' can be found in a marine environment and in freshwater. The habitat is located in subtropical climates. This species is primarily found in estuaries, lagoons, lakes, and rivers. It is considered an extremely important fish in estuaries of South Africa . This small sardine-like fish lives in large shoals and provides an important link in the food chain as a food source to larger fish and water birds. This fish does not survive in an aquarium, presumably dying from capture myopathy or stress.

Distribution

The Gilchristella aestuaria is distributed throughout the following areas:
*Africa
*Lake Piti
*Mozambique
*Southern African coast
*Saldanha Bay
*Orange River
*Namibia
*South Africa
*Eastern Cape Province
*KwaZulu-Natal
*Northern Cape Province

References

External links

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Gilchrist's round herring
Marine fish of Southern Africa
Gilchrist's round herring
Taxa named by John Dow Fisher Gilchrist
Monotypic fish genera
Monotypic marine fish genera
Monotypic ray-finned fish genera

{{Clupeiformes-stub