Drepane punctata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Spotted sicklefish
Drepane,  雞籠鯧,  雞籠䱽
Drepane punctata
photo by Chua, E.

Family:  Drepaneidae (Sicklefishes)
Max. size:  50 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 10 - 49 m, amphidromous
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: temperate and tropical waters from India to northern Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Japan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20-22; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 17-19. Color generally silvery with greenish tinge above. Pectoral fins long and pointed. Similar to D. longimana but differs in having 4 - 11 vertical gray spots on the upper half of the sides, and generally 8 dorsal spines (against none (spots) and generally 9 spines in D. longimana).
Biology:  Occurs in various inshore habitats: sand or mud bottoms, reefs, estuaries and harbors (Ref. 9800). Found near coral and rock reefs at temperatures ranging from 26° to 29°C. Feeds on invertebrates and benthic fishes (Ref. 5213). Generally marketed fresh (Ref. 5284).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Reported from Lobster Bay (Ref. 33067). Juveniles also reported from Starfish Bay (Ref. 125515). The species was observed on 2 to 10 occasions during 400 dive surveys on artificial reefs (Ref. 119494). Available in the market all year, but in better supply in March and April and September to December (Ref. 12075). Also Ref. 3283.


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