Sillago parvisquamis Gill, 1861
Small-scale sillago
photo by The Fish Database of Taiwan

Family:  Sillaginidae (Smelt-whitings)
Max. size:  30 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 30 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: southern Japan and Taiwan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20-22; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 22-24; Vertebrae: 39-40. Swim bladder with two posterior extensions. Body is pale brown to dull brown above, lighter below; a faint mid-lateral stripe usually present; dorsal fins dusky terminally with five or six rows of dusky spots on second dorsal fin membranes, other fins hyaline.
Biology:  Found in tidal flats in the estuary zone near large rivers. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Fishery is declining possibly due to habitat alteration by reclamation and pollution. The flesh is firm and well accepted in Japan (Ref. 6205).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 08 December 2017 (B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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