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Saddleback silver-biddy (Gerres limbatus) — Gerreidae

Saddleback silver-biddy

Gerres limbatus
Family: Gerreidae

The Saddleback silver-biddy (Gerres limbatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gerreidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Brackish
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Saddleback silver-biddy is a mojarra or silver-biddy (Gerreidae) from shallow coastal, brackish and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, bright-silvery body with a far downward-protrusible mouth. As a bottom-oriented fish it sifts mouthfuls of sand in search of worms, small crustaceans and molluscs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Saddleback silver-biddy?

The Saddleback silver-biddy has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Saddleback silver-biddy live?

The Saddleback silver-biddy lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia and others

How big does the Saddleback silver-biddy get?

The Saddleback silver-biddy grows to a maximum of about 15 cm. On average the species is around 10 cm.

Is the Saddleback silver-biddy dangerous to humans?

No, the Saddleback silver-biddy 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 Saddleback silver-biddy edible?

Yes, the Saddleback silver-biddy is commonly eaten.

More photos

Saddleback silver-biddy (Gerres limbatus) — Gerreidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Saddleback silver-biddy (Gerres limbatus) — Gerreidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Saddleback silver-biddy (Gerres limbatus) — Gerreidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) pschen, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Saddleback silver-biddy (Gerres limbatus) — Gerreidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — George Henry Ford (Public domain)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Saddleback silver-biddy sourced
Scientific name
Gerres limbatus
Family
Gerreidae
Other names
Saddleback silver-biddy; Black-tipped mojarro verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Average length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia 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 Gerres

More from the family Gerreidae

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