Sillago sihama, FRLM 30739, 16.0 cm SL
Sillago sihama (Forsskål, 1775)
Silver sillago
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D XI - I, 20 - 23; A II, 21 - 23; LLp 66 - 72. Body elongate, subcylindrical, covered with ctenoid scales; first pelvic fin ray normal, not thickened club-like structure; swimbladder with two anterior and two posterior extensions; anterior extensions extend forward and diverge to terminate on each side of the basioccipital above the auditory capsule; two lateral extensions commence anteriorly, each sending a blind tubule anterolaterally and then extending along the abdominal wall below the investing peritoneum to just posterior of the duct-like process; two posterior tapering extensions of the swimbladder project into the caudal region, one usually longer than the other; vertebrae 14 + 2 - 8 + 12 - 18 (total 34). Color: body light tan, silvery yellow-brown, sandy brown, or honey colored; paler brown to silvery white below; a midlateral, silvery, longitudinal band normally present; dorsal fins dusky terminally with or without rows of dark brown spots on the second dorsal fin membrane; caudal fin dusky terminally; no dark blotch at base of pectoral fins; other fins hyaline; anal fin frequently with a whitish margin. Size: maximum standard length about 30 cm. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and Knysna (South Africa) to Japan and south to Australia. Remarks: Common along beaches, sandbars, mangrove creeks and estuaries; depth range 0 - 60 m. Forms schools. Adults bury themselves in the sand when disturbed. Feeds mainly on polychaete worms, small prawns (Penaeus), shrimps and amphipods.
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