Sand sillago
📖 Overview
An onshore schooling species occurring on coastal beaches, sandbars, and surf zones as well as open bays, estuaries, coastal lakes , and rivers as far as tidal limits . Keep away from shore when older. Live almost exclusively on sandy ground. Juveniles and adolescents are abundant in shallow waters of rivers and creeks, over seagrass beds and in mangroves , although they tend to move into deeper water as they grow older . Larvae are present in river mouths and mangrove areas most of the year . Oviparous . Feed mostly on polychaetes and crustaceans. Also caught using tunnel nets .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16 - 18; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 15 - 17; Vertebrae: 32 - 34. The shape of the swim bladder is not distinguishable from that of S. analis. Anterior part of the swim bladder with rudimentary tubules projecting anteriorly and a series laterally that diminish in size and become sawtooth-like posteriorly. The coloration of adult specimens is uniform, without darker bars or blotches. A dark spot is present at the base of the pectoral fin in younger individuals.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Sand sillago is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Sand whiting probably spawn twice each season . Spawning occurs at peak high tide, at night, and 1-2 days before the new moon .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; demersal; non-migratory; depth range 0 - 46 m , usually 20 - 22 m. Tropical; 9°S - 45°S, 142°E - 170°E east coast of Australia from Cape York (rare) and the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland to eastern Victoria, Ulverstone on northeast coast of Tasmania; Lord Howe Island, New Caledonia, Woodlark Islands, and Papua New Guinea.
🌿 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.
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 16 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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