Senegalese ladyfish

The Senegalese ladyfish ( Elops senegalensis ) is a large, almost a meter long expectant bony fish of the family of Mrs. Fish ( Elopidae ), which occurs on the West African coast from Mauritania to the Democratic Republic of Congo. He also goes into the brackish water and in fresh waters.

Features

The Senegalese woman fish has a very elongated body and is up to 90 cm long, but remains usually at a length of 60 cm. The maximum published weight is 5.9 kg. The species can easily with the West African ladyfish ( Elops lacerta ) be confused. It differs from Elops lacerta by the greater number of lateral line scales ( 92-100 compared to 72 to 83) and the lower number of gill rakers on the lower branch of the first gill arch ( 11-15 1-2 versus 17 to 19). From Elops saurus to this kind woman all fish were counted earlier, the Senegalese woman fish differs by the smaller number of vertebrae ( 67 compared to 73 to 80).

Way of life

The Senegalese woman fish occurs in shallow coastal waters and migrates into the mouth areas of rivers where the tide is still noticeable. It feeds on small fish and shrimps and other small crustaceans.