Hypomesus nipponensis McAllister, 1963
Japanese smelt
photo by Senou, H.

Family:  Osmeridae (Smelts)
Max. size:  17 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; freshwater; brackish; marine, anadromous
Distribution:  Asia: Japan to the Korean Peninsula (not confirmed by Ref. 33312). USA report adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-19; Vertebrae: 53-57. Vomer T-shaped with well-developed posterior process; periphery of glossohyal bone with single row of conical teeth, central part toothless; gill rakers 10(7-11) + 23(20-25) = 32(29-36); pyloric caeca 4(1-6); base of adipose fin less then 20% of head length; eye large; adipose eyelid absent.
Biology:  Found in open water of impoundments and their tributaries, in fresh and brackish water. Primarily a brackish water species (Ref.33312). Anadromous (Ref. 37812).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 March 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  potential pest


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