Description (by A. Ben-Tuvia)
Small- to moderate-sized fishes, with body elongate, slightly compressed. Head conical, pointed; a small, sharp spine on opercle; mouth small, terminal or slightly inferior; lips prominent; teeth villiform on jaws and vomer, none on palatines. Dorsal fin in two parts, first with 9-12 slender spines declining in size towards second part with 1 spine and 16-20 rays; anal fin with 2 small spines and 15-27 rays; pelvic fins thoracic. Small ctenoid scales covering body, cheeks and top of head. Lateral line slightly arched.
Distribution
Family from the Indo-West Pacific, 3 genera with some 6 species. Demersal fishes of shallow coastal waters, occasionally in estuaries; feeding on bottom invertebrates.
Recent revision: McKay, 1985.
Species included on this CD-rom:
Genus Sillago