| Family: |
Sillaginidae (Smelt-whitings) |
| Max. size: |
30 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range 10 - 70 m, oceanodromous |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: endemic to Australian waters from Fremantle northward to Shark Bay (western population), and from southern Queensland to New South Wales (eastern population). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-18; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 16-19; Vertebrae: 33-33. The base of the first dorsal-fin spine yellow and the remainder of its keel dark brown to blackish. A silvery stripe runs midlaterally on the sides, and a yellow blotch is on the cheek. |
| Biology: |
Occur in bays and estuaries, but more commonly in deep offshore waters (Ref. 9563). Inhabit sandy substrates. Juveniles feed mainly on crustaceans such as copepods and mysidaceans, whereas larger fishes (11-20 cm) consume more polychaetes (Ref. 6223). Sexually mature below 13 cm SL and rarely exceeds 17 cm in Western Australia. Oviparous (Ref. 205), multiple spawner with asynchronous development (Ref. 12343). The flesh is soft and trawled fish are frequently bruised (Ref. 6205). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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