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Blue-nose (Sillago ciliata) — Sillaginidae

Blue-nose

Sillago ciliata
Family: Sillaginidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue-nose (Sillago ciliata) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sillaginidae that grows up to 51 cm.

Length
51 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–46.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The sand whiting is a sand whiting (Sillaginidae) from the temperate coastal waters of eastern Australia. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a slender, elongate, sand-coloured to silvery-white body with a pointed head, adapted to life on sandy bottoms. It is a schooling inshore fish of beaches, sandbars, surf zones, open bays, estuaries and coastal lakes. With its inferior mouth it roots in the sand for worms, small crustaceans and molluscs. It is a valued sport and food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue-nose?

The Blue-nose has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Blue-nose live?

The Blue-nose lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Blue-nose get?

The Blue-nose grows to a maximum of about 51 cm.

Is the Blue-nose dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue-nose is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue-nose edible?

Yes, the Blue-nose is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Australische zandsillago sourced
English name
Blue-nose verified
Scientific name
Sillago ciliata
Family
Sillaginidae
Other names
Bluenose whiting; Sand sillago verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
51.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
46.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
22.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Wordt met hengel en fijne lijn vanaf het strand en in estuaria bevist. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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