Original description as Melaniris balsanus:
ZooBank:0911A6D9-3D00-4063-B9F6-1FD86391D03D.
- Meek, Seth Eugene. 1902. "A contribution to the ichthyology of Mexico". Field Columbian Museum Publication. 3(6):63-128 (ffm00269)
Conservation: Atherinella balsana is evaluated by the international union for the conservation of nature in the iucn red list of threatened species as (DD) data deficient (2018).