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Oriental sillago (Sillago aeolus) — Sillaginidae

Oriental sillago

Sillago aeolus
Family: Sillaginidae

The Oriental sillago (Sillago aeolus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sillaginidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–60.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Brunei Darsm, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The oriental sillago is a sillago (Sillaginidae) from coastal and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, sand-coloured body with faint dark blotches along the flank and a pointed snout. As a bottom-dweller it lives in schools over sandy beaches, sand flats and estuaries and digs with its snout for worms, small crustaceans and molluscs. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Oriental sillago?

The Oriental sillago has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Oriental sillago live?

The Oriental sillago lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Australia, Brunei Darsm, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei and others

How big does the Oriental sillago get?

The Oriental sillago grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Oriental sillago dangerous to humans?

No, the Oriental 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 Oriental sillago edible?

Yes, the Oriental sillago is commonly eaten.

More photos

Oriental sillago (Sillago aeolus) — Sillaginidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Oriental sillago (Sillago aeolus) — Sillaginidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Oriental sillago (Sillago aeolus) — Sillaginidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) C.H.Leung, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Oriental sillago (Sillago aeolus) — Sillaginidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Kare Kare (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Oriental sillago sourced
Scientific name
Sillago aeolus
Family
Sillaginidae
Other names
Oriental sillago; Oriental trumpeter whiting; Blotchy sillago verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Brunei Darsm, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei and others 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
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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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