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Ellochelon vaigiensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) Squaretail mullet |
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Bunti Square-tail mullet, Aguas, Agwas, Balanak, Balanak, Balanak, Balanak, Balanak, Balanak, Banak, Banak, Banak, Banak, Banak, Banak, Bukasing, Diamond-scale mullet, Gagapan, Gapang, Gisaw, Large-scale finned mullet, Lisas, Ngapang, Talilong, Ugapang, Ugapang, |
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photo by
Dubosc, J. |
| Family: | Mugilidae (Mullets) | |||
| Max. size: | 63 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; depth range 0 - 5 m, catadromous | |||
| Distribution: | Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, south to southern Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia (Ref. 9812). | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 4-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-9. Olive-brown dorsally, flanks silvery, abdomen white or suffused pale yellow (Ref. 9812). About 6 longitudinal stripes on flanks formed by longitudinal marks on scales; scales also with darkened margins giving slight chequered appearance to flanks (Ref. 9812). Iris with yellow patches (Ref. 9812). Margins of fins dusky, otherwise yellowish white (Ref. 9812). Caudal fin distinctly yellow (Ref. 9812). Pectoral fin completely black in small fish; lower section yellowish in adults (Ref. 9812). No axillary scale visible in the pectoral fins (Ref. 1602). Description: Characterized by having weakly ctenoid scales; adults with longer snout than eye diameter, shorter in juvenile; poorly developed adipose eyelid, forms narrow rim around eye; weak notch on anteroventral edge of preorbital; truncate caudal fin (Ref. 90102). | |||
| Biology: | Inhabit lagoons, reef flats, estuaries, and coastal creeks, in shallow coastal areas and protected sandy shores (Ref. 40488). Usually within tidal influence, but may enter fresh water, ascending 10 km into rivers (Ref. 40488). Form large schools, frequently in mangrove areas (Ref. 2334). Juveniles may be found in rice fields and mangroves and may be used as bait fish (Ref. 9812). Oviparous, eggs are pelagic and non-adhesive (Ref. 205). Feeds on phytoplankton, small algaeand detritus organisms (Ref. 89972). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | (Ref. 96402) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||
| Country info: | Known from Puerto Princesa, Palawan (Ref. 58652). Reported from Lake Taal (Ref. 13446). Sold fresh and dried in Metro Manila markets and is one of the major dried products being sold. Roe is marketed as a salted product in the Visayas (Ref. 2858). Also Ref. 1602. | |||
| Entered by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 11.06.92 |
| Modified by: Valdestamon, Roxanne Rei - 22.09.14 |
| Checked by: Bailly, Nicolas - 23.01.13 |