Sardinella gibbosa (Bleeker 1849)

Total number scutes 32 to 34. Vertical striae on scales not meeting at center, numerous small perforations on hind part of scale. A golden mid-lateral line down flank; dorsal and caudal fin margins dusky; a dark spot at dorsal fin origin. Lower gill rakers 45 to 59 (at 6 to 17 cm standard length, not increasing with size of fish after 6 cm standard length).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 21; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 12 - 23

Migratory schooling species (Refs. 75154, 127989). Feeds mainly on zooplanktonic copepods and sustained by phytoplankton. Pelagic inshore (Ref. 127989). Occurs in inshore waters of the continental shelf. Infested by the isopod Nerocila phaiopleura (Ref. 124798).

Forms schools in coastal waters. Adults feed on phytoplankton and zooplankton (crustacean and molluscan larvae) (Ref. 5213, 5284). Juveniles predominantly prefer crustaceans expanding to include phytoplankton in the diet as their length increases (Ref. 34224). Marketed fresh, dried-salted, boiled or made into fish balls. Possible or even probable confusion with other species (especially S. fimbriata in Indian waters) makes published biological data potentially unreliable.

fisheries: highly commercial; price category: low; price reliability: reliable: based on ex-vessel price for this species