Gilchrist's round herring facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gilchristella aestuaria |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Clupeiformes |
| Family: | Ehiravidae |
| Genus: | Gilchristella Fowler, 1935 |
| Species: |
G. aestuaria
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| Binomial name | |
| Gilchristella aestuaria (Gilchrist, 1913)
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| Synonyms | |
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Spratelloides aestuarius Gilchrist, 1913 |
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The Gilchristella aestuaria, also known as the Gilchrist's round herring or estuarine round-herring, is a small fish. It belongs to the herring family, called Clupeidae. This fish lives off the coasts of Southern Africa. It is the only type of fish in its group, or genus. The genus was named after John Dow Fisher Gilchrist, a scientist who lived from 1866 to 1926.
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About the Gilchrist's Round Herring
This fish is not currently facing major threats. Scientists believe it is safe from becoming an endangered species. They consider it a species of "least concern."
How Big Is It?
The Gilchrist's round herring is a small fish. On average, it grows to about ten centimeters long. That's roughly the length of a pen.
Where It Lives
The Gilchristella aestuaria can be found in both salty ocean water and fresh water. It prefers warm, subtropical areas. You can mostly find this fish in estuaries, which are places where rivers meet the sea. It also lives in lagoons, lakes, and rivers.
This small fish is very important in the estuaries of South Africa. It looks a bit like a tiny sardine. These fish swim together in large groups called shoals. They are a key part of the food chain, providing food for bigger fish and water birds.
Why It Doesn't Live in Aquariums
Sadly, this fish does not survive well in home aquariums. Scientists think it might die from stress or a condition called capture myopathy. This means the fish gets too stressed or its muscles get damaged when it's caught.
Where It Can Be Found
The Gilchrist's round herring lives in several places across Africa. Here are some of them:
- Africa
- Lake Piti
- Mozambique
- Southern African coast
- Saldanha Bay
- Orange River
- Namibia
- South Africa
- Eastern Cape Province
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Northern Cape Province
 | Emma Amos |
 | Edward Mitchell Bannister |
 | Larry D. Alexander |
 | Ernie Barnes |
