How to Identify Charal

To identify Charal (Chirostoma jordani), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

elongated

Coloration

Silvery body, often with a faint lateral stripe. Dorsal surface can be olive-green to brownish, fading to silvery-white on the ventral side. Fins are typically translucent.

Scale type

cycloid

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Slender, elongated body, Relatively large eyes, Small, terminal mouth, Two distinct dorsal fins, the first with spines and the second with soft rays

Dorsal fin

Two dorsal fins; the first is short with 4-6 spines, and the second is longer with 1 spine and 8-11 soft rays. The two fins are distinctly separated.

Tail fin

Forked caudal fin.

Pectoral fin

Moderately sized, positioned low on the body.

Distinctive fins

Pelvic fins are small and located abdominally, posterior to the pectoral fins. Anal fin is relatively long with 1 spine and 15-19 soft rays.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Body Shape

   Look for a very slender, elongated body, typical of silversides.

2. 2

   Dorsal Fins

   Note the presence of two distinctly separated dorsal fins; the first is spiny and much shorter than the second, which has soft rays.

3. 3

   Coloration

   Observe the characteristic silvery body with a darker dorsal side and a faint lateral stripe.

4. 4

   Mouth

   The mouth is small and terminal, not upturned or downturned.

Explore Charal