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Asian sillago (Sillago asiatica) — Sillaginidae

Asian sillago

Sillago asiatica
Family: Sillaginidae

The Asian sillago (Sillago asiatica) is a saltwater fish of the family Sillaginidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–50.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Cambodia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Asian sillago is a sillago or whiting (Sillaginidae) from shallow coastal water of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 16 cm and has a slender, elongate, sandy to silvery body with a pointed snout and a small, inferior mouth. As a bottom-dweller it roots in sand and mud bottoms of beaches and estuaries for worms, small crustaceans and molluscs. The fish is harmless to humans and is a valued food fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Asian sillago?

The Asian sillago has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Asian sillago live?

The Asian sillago lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Cambodia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia and others

How big does the Asian sillago get?

The Asian sillago grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Asian sillago dangerous to humans?

No, the Asian sillago is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Asian sillago edible?

Yes, the Asian sillago is commonly eaten.

More photos

Asian sillago (Sillago asiatica) — Sillaginidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Jiayuan Lin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Asian sillago (Sillago asiatica) — Sillaginidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) H.T.Cheng, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Asian sillago (Sillago asiatica) — Sillaginidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Kare Kare (Public domain)
Asian sillago (Sillago asiatica) — Sillaginidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) sharkdevotee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Asian sillago sourced
Scientific name
Sillago asiatica
Family
Sillaginidae
Other names
Asian sillago verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Cambodia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Sillago

More from the family Sillaginidae

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