Japanese sillago (Sillago japonica)

General data

Main name: Japanese sillago
Local names: Japanese whiting, Shiro-gisu, Japanese whiting
Climates: Subtropical, Temperate
Habitat: Saltwater
Native: Asia
Distribution: Sea of Japan (East Sea), Pacific Ocean

Classification

Description

The Japanese whiting (Sillago japonica), also known as the Japanese sillago or Shiro-gisu, is a common species of coastal marine fish belonging to the smelt-whiting family, Sillaginidae. As suggested by its name, the Japanese whiting was first recorded from Japan in 1843 but has subsequently been found to extend to Korea, China, and Taiwan. The species inhabits a variety of shallow water habitats where it preys on a variety of crustaceans as well as polychaetes, bivalves, and small fish. They spawn between June and October and are taken in large quantities during this period by fishermen. One of the most abundant species of fish around Japan, they make up a large percentage of the commercial catch. s with most of the genus Sillago, the Japanese whiting has a slightly compressed, elongated body tapering toward the terminal mouth. The body is covered in small ctenoid scales extending to the two rows of cheek scales and head. The first dorsal fin has 11 spines and the second dorsal fin has 1 leading spine with 21 to 23 soft rays posterior. The anal fin is similar to the second dorsal fin but has 2 spines with 22 to 24 soft rays posterior to the spines. Other distinguishing features include 70 to 73 lateral line scales and a total of 35 vertebrae. The species has a known maximum length of over 30 cm (11.8 in). Like all species of sillaginid, the swim bladder is the most dependable diagnostic feature. Japanese whiting has a swim bladder with a single, long posterior extension that tapers to a slender point. The anterior end of the organ has three long median projections, with the central extension being the longest. The colour of the fish is a greenish grey above with the dorsal region of the head darker and whitish on the underside of the fish. The anterior and posterior dorsal fins are hyaline, with the first few membranes of the spinous dorsal fin dusted in tiny brown spots. The anal, ventral, and pectoral fins are also hyaline, with the pectoral having a greenish upper margin and base. The caudal fin is whitish with dark margins.

Taxonomy of Fishes

Osteichthyes - Bony fishes->
- Actinistia - Lobe-finned fishes->
- Actinopteri - Ray-finned fishes->
  - Perciformes - Perches->
  - Cypriniformes - Carps->
  - Esociformes - Pikes->
  - Salmoniformes - Salmons and Trouts->
  - Siluriformes - Catfishes->
  - Scorpaeniformes - Mail-cheeked fishes->
  - Gasterosteiformes - Sticklebacks->
  - Gadiformes - Cods->
  - Anguilliformes - Eels and morays->
  - Clupeiformes - Herrings->
  - Syngnathiformes - Pipefishes and Seahorses->
  - Gobiiformes - Gobies->
  - Mugiliformes - Mullets->
  - Carangiformes - Jacks->
  - Beloniformes - Needlefishes->
  - Labriformes - Wrasses->
  - Scombriformes - Mackerels->
  - Mulliformes - Goatfishes->
  - Pleuronectiformes - Flatfishes->
  - Aulopiformes - Grinners->
  - Blenniiformes - Blennies->
  - Cyprinodontiformes - Toothcarps->
  - Osmeriformes - Smelts->
  - Centrarchiformes - Basses and sunfishes->
  - Cichliformes - Cichlids->
  - Characiformes - Characins->
  - Osteoglossiformes - Bony tongues->
  - Elopiformes - Tarpons and tenpounders->
  - Anabantiformes - Gouramies and snakeheads->
  - Gymnotiformes - South American knifefish->
  - Istiophoriformes - Barracudas->
  - Albuliformes - Bonefishes->
  - Lepidogalaxiiformes - Salamanderfishes->
  - Lophiiformes - Anglerfishes->
  - Spariformes - Breams and porgies->
    
    Sparidae - Sea breams->
    
    Lobotidae - Tripletails->
    
    Lethrinidae - Emperors->
    
    Nemipteridae - Threadfin breams->
    
    Callanthiidae - Splendid perches->
    
    Sillaginidae - Smelt-whitings->
    
    Sillaginodes - Sillaginodes->
    
    Sillaginopodys - Sillaginopodys->
    
    Sillaginops - Sillaginops->
    
    Sillaginopsis - Sillaginopsis->
    
    Sillago - Sillago->
    
    Oriental sillago (Sillago aeolus)
    
    Golden-lined sillago (Sillago analis)
    
    Arabian sillago (Sillago arabica)
    
    Silver-banded sillago (Sillago argentifasciata)
    
    Asian sillago (Sillago asiatica)
    
    Slender sillago (Sillago attenuata)
    
    Southern school whiting (Sillago bassensis)
    
    Boutan’s sillago (Sillago boutani)
    
    Western trumpeter sillago (Sillago burrus)
    
    Sillago caudicula (Sillago caudicula)
    
    Sand sillago (Sillago ciliata)
    
    Eastern school whiting (Sillago flindersi)
    
    Indian sillago (Sillago indica)
    
    Bay sillago (Sillago ingenuua)
    
    Intermediate sillago (Sillago intermedia)
    
    Japanese sillago (Sillago japonica)
    
    Mud sillago (Sillago lutea)
    
    Trumpeter whiting (Sillago maculata)
    
    Large-headed sillago (Sillago megacephalus)
    
    Small-eyed sillago (Sillago microps)
    
    Rough sillago (Sillago nierstraszi)
    
    Yellow-brown sillago (Sillago panhwari)
    
    Small-scale sillago (Sillago parvisquamis)
    
    Stout whiting (Sillago robusta)
    
    Yellowfin whiting (Sillago schomburgkii)
    
    Silver sillago (Sillago sihama)
    
    Sillago sinica (Sillago sinica)
    
    Soringa sillago (Sillago soringa)
    
    Suez Canal Sillago (Sillago suezensis)
    
    Vincent’s sillago (Sillago vincenti)
    
    Western school whiting (Sillago vittata)
  - Trachiniformes - Weeverfishes->
  - Moroniformes - Temperate basses->
  - Acanthuriformes - Surgeonfishes->
  - Zeiformes - Dories->
  - Tetraodontiformes - Puffers and filefishes->
  - Holocentriformes - Squirrelfishes->
  - Dactylopteriformes - Flying gurnards->
  - Lampriformes - Lamprids->
  - Galaxiiformes - Southern smelts->
  - Batrachoidiformes - Toadfishes->
  - Hiodontiformes - Mooneyes->
  - Percopsiformes - Trout-perches->
  - Callionymiformes - Dragonets->
  - Atheriniformes - Silversides->
  - Notacanthiformes - Spiny eels->
  - Saccopharyngiformes - Swallowers and Gulpers->
  - Alepocephaliformes - Slickheads and tubeshoulders->
  - Gonorynchiformes - Milkfishes->
  - Argentiniformes - Marine smelts->
  - Stomiiformes - Lightfishes and dragonfishes->
  - Ateleopodiformes - Jellynose fishes->
  - Myctophiformes - Lanternfishes->
  - Stylephoriformes - Tube-eyes->
  - Polymixiiformes - Beardfishes->
  - Beryciformes - Sawbellies->
  - Trachichthyiformes - Rughies->
  - Ophidiiformes - Cusk-eels->
  - Kurtiformes - Nurseryfishes & Cardinalfishes->
  - Synbranchiformes - Swamp eels->
  - Gobiesociformes - Clingfishes->
  - Acropomatiformes - Oceanic basses->
- Cladistii - Bichirs->
- Dipnoi - Lungfishes->
- Chondrostei - Sturgeons and Paddlefishes->
- Holostei - Gars and Bowfins->
Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes->
Agnatha - Jawless fishes->

Japanese sillago (Sillago japonica)

General data

Classification

Description

Taxonomy of Fishes

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