Nemipterus virgatus (Houttuyn, 1782)
Golden threadfin bream
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Nemipteridae (Threadfin breams, Whiptail breams)
Max. size:  35 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 1 - 220 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Western Pacific: southern Japan to northwestern Australia and the Arafura Sea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Suborbital spine absent. Preopercle with 3 transverse scale rows. Pectoral and pelvic fins long, reaching to between level of anus and origin of anal fin. Upper lobe of caudal fin produced to form a trailing filament. A line drawn up from the posterior edge of suborbital reaching the dorsal profile 5 to 7 scale rows before origin of dorsal fin. Axillary scale present. Body color pink, paler below. Head pink, a yellow stripe from upper lip extending to antero-ventral margin of eye. Two faint yellow bars across cheek sometimes present. Pelvic fins with yellow stripes.
Biology:  Inhabits muddy or sandy bottoms. Young fish generally occur in shallower water between 18 and 33 m. Feeds on crustaceans, fish and cephalopods. One of the most important commercial fish in the East China Sea and northern South China Sea. May be made into fish balls (Ref. 4931).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 29 January 2009 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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