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Arabian sillago (Sillago arabica) — Sillaginidae

Arabian sillago

Sillago arabica
Family: Sillaginidae

The Arabian sillago (Sillago arabica) is a saltwater fish of the family Sillaginidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–5.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Arabian sillago is a sillago or whiting (Sillaginidae) from shallow coastal water of the northwest Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a slender, elongate, sandy to silvery body with a pointed snout and a small, inferior mouth. As a bottom-dweller it roots in sand and mud bottoms of beaches and estuaries for worms, small crustaceans and molluscs. The fish is harmless to humans and is a valued food fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Arabian sillago?

The Arabian sillago has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Arabian sillago live?

The Arabian sillago lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Arabian sillago get?

The Arabian sillago grows to a maximum of about 22 cm.

Is the Arabian sillago dangerous to humans?

No, the Arabian sillago is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Arabische zandspiering sourced
English name
Arabian sillago sourced
Scientific name
Sillago arabica
Family
Sillaginidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
5.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

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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