Pterengraulis atherinoides (Linnaeus 1766)

Snout short, about 2/3 eye diameter; maxilla moderate, tip bluntly rounded, not quite or just reaching lower jaw articulation; lower gill rakers short, with often a single rudimentary raker in front. Pectoral fins large, reaching beyond pelvic fin base; anal fin origin in front of dorsal fin origin. Silver lateral stripe along flank, broad anteriorly, narrowing over anal fin.

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 28 - 32

Lives in mangrove coast, occurring in subtidal sections of tidal channels at low tide and use the intertidal mangrove creeks during high tide. Occurs in estuaries and freshwater bodies, reaching some distance inland (at least 17 km up the Suriname River; to above Santarem on the Amazon). The short and few gillrakers suggest predatory feeding on small fishes, etc. Diet changed with fish size, smaller fish sizes fed on several food items, fish >13 cm SL fed exclusively on natantia and teleostei (Ref. 56005). Sciaenidae and Mugilidae were dominantly selected as their prey items (Ref. 56005).

Occurs in estuaries and freshwater bodies, reaching some distance inland (at least 17 km up the Suriname River; to above Santarem on the Amazon). The short and few gillrakers suggest predatory feeding on small fishes, etc. Locally consumed (Ref. 5217).

fisheries: minor commercial

Pterengraulis atherinoides, the wingfin anchovy is a species of anchovy which is found along the Atlantic coast of South America from the Orinoco Delta to Ceará, Brazil. It is the only species in its genus.