Max length : 75.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9710); common length : 50.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9768)
Environment
Reef-associated; marine; depth range 6 - 300 m (Ref. 1602)
Climate / Range
Tropical; 30°N - 23°S
Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Southeast Asia and the Marquesan and Society islands, north to southern Japan, south to New Caledonia. Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions
Short description
Dorsalspines
(total): 6;
Dorsalsoft rays
(total): 9 - 9;
Analspines: 2;
Analsoft rays: 9. Body elongate and sub cylindrical with small cycloid scales; head long and pointed. Mouth large and horizontal, the tip of the lower jaw protruding; intermaxilla non-protractile. Preoperculum broadly rounded. Lower limb of the first fill arch with spiny tubercles. First dorsal fin origin opposite or before the pectoral tip, the first spine shorter than the second. Color is generally blackish above and silvery below.
Nocturnally active, but occurring in large schools above lagoon patch reefs and along outer reef slopes during the day (Ref. 9768, 48637). Feeds mainly on fishes, but also on penaeid shrimps and squids. Sold fresh, frozen or dried salted. Reports of ciguatera poisoning need confirmation.
