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Whitefin wolf-herring (Chirocentrus nudus) — Chirocentridae

Whitefin wolf-herring

Chirocentrus nudus

The Whitefin wolf-herring (Chirocentrus nudus) is a saltwater fish of the family Chirocentridae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–150.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Myanmar and others
Edibility
Highly prized

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Description

The whitefin wolf-herring is a large, slender predatory herring (Chirocentridae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 1 metre and has a strongly elongate, laterally compressed, bright-silvery body with large, dagger-like fangs. As a fast open-water predator it hunts small fish and crustaceans. It is a food fish; when handled the sharp teeth call for caution. The fish poses no danger to swimmers.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Whitefin wolf-herring?

The Whitefin wolf-herring has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Whitefin wolf-herring live?

The Whitefin wolf-herring lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Myanmar and others

How big does the Whitefin wolf-herring get?

The Whitefin wolf-herring grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.

Is the Whitefin wolf-herring dangerous to humans?

No, the Whitefin wolf-herring 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 Whitefin wolf-herring edible?

Yes, the Whitefin wolf-herring is a highly prized food fish.

More photos

Whitefin wolf-herring (Chirocentrus nudus) — Chirocentridae — 2
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Whitefin wolf-herring (Chirocentrus nudus) — Chirocentridae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Whitefin wolf-herring (Chirocentrus nudus) — Chirocentridae — 4
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Whitefin wolf-herring (Chirocentrus nudus) — Chirocentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) huangmingpan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Whitefin wolf-herring sourced
Scientific name
Chirocentrus nudus
Family
Chirocentridae
Other names
Silver bar; Smooth wolf herring; Tenpounder; Whitefin wolf herring; Dorab; Wolf herring verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
150.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Myanmar 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
Highly prized inferred
Fishing method
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. 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 Chirocentrus

More from the family Chirocentridae

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