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Blackfin wolf herring (Chirocentrus dorab) — Chirocentridae

Blackfin wolf herring

Chirocentrus dorab
LC · Least Concern

The Blackfin wolf herring (Chirocentrus dorab) is a brackish-water fish of the family Chirocentridae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–120.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; coastal waters, also brackish water.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The dorab wolf-herring is a predatory herring-like fish of the family Chirocentridae from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about one metre and has a strongly elongate, laterally compressed, bright silver body with a large mouth full of conspicuous, dagger-like teeth. It occurs in coastal waters, including brackish water, from the shore to some depth. As a fast predator it hunts small fishes and shrimps. The dorab wolf-herring is a valued food fish. The razor-sharp teeth can cause cuts when handling; keep fingers away from the mouth.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackfin wolf herring?

The Blackfin wolf herring has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Elongate, bright silver wolf-herring with a large mouth full of dagger-shaped teeth.

Where does the Blackfin wolf herring live?

The Blackfin wolf herring lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; coastal waters, also brackish water.

How big does the Blackfin wolf herring get?

The Blackfin wolf herring grows to a maximum of about 100 cm. On average the species is around 60 cm.

Is the Blackfin wolf herring dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackfin wolf herring is harmless to humans. Not venomous, but the razor-sharp teeth can cause cuts when handling; keep fingers away from the mouth of a caught or hooked fish. Clean any wound and seek medical care if it becomes infected.

Is the Blackfin wolf herring edible?

Yes, the Blackfin wolf herring is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blackfin wolf herring (Chirocentrus dorab) — Chirocentridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Sahat Ratmuangkhwang (CC BY 3.0)
Blackfin wolf herring (Chirocentrus dorab) — Chirocentridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Hamid Badar Osmany (CC BY 3.0)
Blackfin wolf herring (Chirocentrus dorab) — Chirocentridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) cml1995, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackfin wolf herring (Chirocentrus dorab) — Chirocentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Claire Goiran, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blackfin wolf herring verified
Scientific name
Chirocentrus dorab
Family
Chirocentridae
Other names
Dorab; Dorab wolf herring; Dorab wolf-herring; Wolf herring; Dorab wolfherring; Silver bar; Knife-fish; Leaping silver-bar; Ribbon-fish; Sabre fish; Sabre fish silver bar; Silver barfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Average length (cm)
60.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
120.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; coastal waters, also brackish water. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and shrimps sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Elongate, bright silver wolf-herring with a large mouth full of dagger-shaped teeth. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
Not venomous, but the razor-sharp teeth can cause cuts when handling; keep fingers away from the mouth of a caught or hooked fish. Clean any wound and seek medical care if it becomes infected. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Chirocentrus

More from the family Chirocentridae

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