West African ilisha (Ilisha africana)

General data
- Main name: West African ilisha
- Climates: Tropical
- Habitat: Saltwater
- Native: Africa
- Distribution: Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Guinea
Classification
- Genus: Ilisha - Ilisha
- Family: Pristigasteridae - Longfin herrings
- Order: Clupeiformes - Herrings
- Class: Teleostei - Ray-finned fishes
- Superclass: Osteichthyes - Bony fishes
Description
Ilisha africana, called the West African ilisha, is a species of longfin herring native to the coasts, lagoons and estuaries of western Africa from Senegal to Angola. It prefers shallow waters, and is unlikely to be found below 25 m. Some individuals can reach 30 cm, with the average closer to 18 cm.