Home · Telmatherinidae · Bonti sailfin silverside
Bonti sailfin silverside (Telmatherina bonti) — Telmatherinidae

Bonti sailfin silverside

Telmatherina bonti

The Bonti sailfin silverside (Telmatherina bonti) is a freshwater fish of the family Telmatherinidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Bonti sailfin silverside?

Get the app

Description

The Bonti sailfin silverside is a sailfin silverside (Telmatherinidae) found only in the clear lakes and rivers of the Malili Lakes on Sulawesi. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, semi-translucent body; courting males colour up brightly with yellow, blue or black and spread their fins. As a social fish it swims in schools in clear, shallow water and snaps at small zooplankton, insect larvae and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bonti sailfin silverside?

The Bonti sailfin silverside has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Bonti sailfin silverside live?

The Bonti sailfin silverside lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Indonesia

How big does the Bonti sailfin silverside get?

The Bonti sailfin silverside grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Bonti sailfin silverside dangerous to humans?

No, the Bonti sailfin silverside 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 Bonti sailfin silverside edible?

Yes, the Bonti sailfin silverside is commonly eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Bonti sailfin silverside?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Bonti sailfin silverside is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Bonti sailfin silverside sourced
Scientific name
Telmatherina bonti
Family
Telmatherinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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 Telmatherina

More from the family Telmatherinidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Bonti sailfin silverside?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Bonti sailfin silverside is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Bonti sailfin silverside? Get the app