Microthrissa royauxi Boulenger, 1902
Royal sprat
Microthrissa royauxi
photo by FAO

Family:  Dorosomatidae (Gizzard shads and sardinellas)
Max. size:  9.9 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: middle Congo River basin (Ref. 188, 28136) and its tributaries north of the equator (Ref. 3509, 47399, 122734), apparently not in Kasai River and its tributaries (Ref. 188). Its presence in Lualaba River is questionable and possibly based on a labelling error (Ref. 47399).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-14; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 22-27; Vertebrae: 37-41. Diagnosis: Body rather deep, its depth about 30-37% of standard length; scutes strongly keeled, 1 or 3 before base of first pectoral fin ray, 13-16 pre-pelvic and 3-7 post-pelvic scutes; snout fairly pointed; lower jaw not or slightly projecting, included in upper when mouth closed, with small teeth limited to anterior part; pre-maxilla with medial notch and 16-26 small conical teeth directed outwards; maxilla blade slender, more than 3 times as long as deep, upper edge with a ridge flared outward; posterior supra-maxilla small, spatulate, shaft as long as or longer than blade; lower gillrakers 14-17 (Ref. 188, 47399). Also characterized by 34-41 scales in a longitudinal series and anal fin with 22-27 rays (Ref. 188, 47399). It resembles Microthrissa minuta, which has more lower gillrakers but fewer anal fin rays, 18-22 and 18-21 respectively (Ref. 188, 47399). It is distinguished from Microthrissa whiteheadi by the presence of a medial notch in pre-maxilla and a lower number of teeth on the pre-maxilla, 16-26 vs. 32-40 (Ref. 46514). Description: Depth of body 3-3.5 times in total length, length of head 3.5-4 times in total length (Ref. 1878). Snout rounded, shorter than diameter of eye, which is 2.3-3.3 times in length of head and a little greater than interorbital width (Ref. 1878, 41594). Lower jaw not or slightly projecting; maxillary rather narrow, extending scarcely beyond anterior border of eye; premaxilla with 16-26 conical teeth directed outward; maxillary with 8-30 small conical teeth (Ref. 28136, 47399). Gillrakers long and slender, about 14-17 on lower part of anterior arch, 20-36 total gillrakers (Ref. 188, 1878, 47399). Dorsal fin base slightly behind origin of pelvic fins, last ray above first of anal fin, longest ray 4/5 length of head; dorsal fin rays 11-14; anal fin rays 22-27; pectoral fin rays 12-15, pectoral fin rather more than 2/3 length of head, nearly reaching ventral; pelvic fin rays 8; caudal deeply forked, with pointed lobes (Ref. 188, 1878, 47399). Caudal peduncle nearly as long as deep, its depth 10-12% of standard length (Ref. 1878, 93833). Cycloid scales; 34-41 scales in longitudinal series; 12 in transverse series (Ref. 188, 1878, 47399). Scutes strongly keeled; 13-16 prepelvic scutes,with 1-3 scutes before base of pectoral fin, first 3-4 scutes without ascending arms; 3-7 postpelvic scutes (Ref. 188, 1878, 47399, 93833). Number of vertebrae 37-41; with 17-19 abdominal vertebrae and 21-23 caudal vertebrae (Ref. 47399). Colouration: Preserved colouration brownish, with a rather indistinct silvery lateral band (Ref. 1878, 47399).
Biology:  A riverine species (Ref. 188).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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