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Surf sardine (Iso flosmaris) — Isonidae

Surf sardine

Iso flosmaris
Family: Isonidae

The Surf sardine (Iso flosmaris) is a saltwater fish of the family Isonidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The surf sardine is a small silverside (Notocheiridae) from the surf of rocky shores of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, strongly translucent, silvery body with large eyes and a strongly keeled belly. As a schooling fish it swims in dense groups in the turbulent splash zone, just below the surface, and snaps at small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Surf sardine?

The Surf sardine has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Surf sardine live?

The Surf sardine lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Surf sardine get?

The Surf sardine grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Surf sardine dangerous to humans?

No, the Surf sardine is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Branding-sardien sourced
English name
Surf sardine sourced
Scientific name
Iso flosmaris
Family
Isonidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Iso

More from the family Isonidae

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