Rock flagtail
📖 Overview
Primarily a freshwater inhabitant but may penetrate adjacent marine habitats . Adults occur in estuaries and the middle reaches of rivers; usually in relatively fast-flowing, clear streams . Usually in rainforests, as well as in rocky pools below waterfalls . Adults are omnivorous, feeding on small fishes, insects, crustaceans and fruits (figs) that drop into the water. Specific breeding habits are unknown, but adults move downstream into estuaries or to the sea to spawn . Neither anterolateral groove nor venom gland is present . Good food fish .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11. Diagnosis: Preorbital serrae 10-15 (obsolete in large specimens); body depth 2.6-3.0 in SL; mouth large for genus, maxilla reaching to below posterior half of eye; caudal fin emarginate, lobes somewhat rounded, caudal concavity 5.3-8.7 in head length . Reduced number of lateral line scales; 17-18(19) gillrakers on lower part of first bracnhial arch; body with spots . Coloration: Silvery, the scales dorsally on body with black edges, those on side with a black bar or spot; juveniles with a broad black zone, edged above and below in white, in soft portion of dorsal fin, and each lobe of caudal fin with a large, white-edged black spot; black areas in these fins enlarge with growth until in adults most of these fins black (caudal with upper and lower edges and corners whitish) .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Rock flagtail is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Presumably non-guarders (RF).
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; reef-associated; catadromous ; depth range 0 - 5 m . Tropical; 20°C - 26°C East Africa to Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Queensland, Australia and New Caledonia.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Rock flagtail is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 19.4 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 111 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Rock flagtail has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Buffalo Bream · Jungle Perch · Mountain Trout · Rock flagtail |
| 🌍CES | praporkovec skaliskový |
| 🌍CHA | Umatan |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Klippeflaghale |
| 🇫🇷French | Carpe · Doule de roche · Kuhlie des rochers · Kuhlie des rochers, Poisson plat · Maraudeur · Poisson plat, Doule de roche |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Okuchiyugoi · オオクチユゴイ |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Kuhila-rupestre |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Серебристая кулия |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Dara rocosa |
| 🌍THA | ปลาหางธง |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 大口湯鯉 |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 38 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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