Family Pristigasteridae Bleeker 1872 (Fig. 2K). Longfin Herrings, Ilishas, Sawbelly Herrings; Sardinas Machetes

Description: Body fusiform to elongate, compressed to strongly compressed; up to 60 cm in length, usually less than 25 cm; mouth short, ends before eye, usually opens upwards, otherwise opens at the front; jaw teeth usually small; pectoral fins low on the side just behind the head; fins without spines; pelvic fins usually absent; abdominal scutes (hardened spiny scales) present; anal fin relatively long-based, with 30–92 rays, its origin under or well before dorsal-fin base; usually silvery in color (Robertson & Allen 2015, Nelson et al. 2016). Distribution: Primarily marine, some freshwater; Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans (Nelson et al. 2016). One genus and one species in Nicaraguan freshwaters.