Latin name

Sardinella melanura

Other name

Sardinella melanura

Identification

Blacktip Sardinella body depth usually does not exceed 30% of standard length; scutellum 27 to 31. 

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-21; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12-23. 

Fish colouring

The tar-black tail tips distinguish S. melanura from all other Sardinella species except S. atricauda (32 to 35 shields), S. hualiensis (dark spot at the base of the dorsal fin, scales ribbed and with small holes), and S. fijiense (87 to 134 gill stamens).

Distribution

Widespread in the Indo-West Pacific: from the Gulf of Aden south to Madagascar and Mauritius and east to the Arabian Sea and northwestern India (apparently not found south of Bombay or in the northern Bay of Bengal); then from Indonesia (but not in the South China Sea) to Samoa. Reported from the Penghu Islands.

Habitat

Marine pelagic-neritic amphidromous tropical species. Depth range 0 to 50 m. 

Size

Maximum length 20.3 cm. Normal length 10 cm.

Behavior

Blacktip sardinella form schools in coastal waters.

Food and feeding habits

The diet consists of copepods, daphnia salina, invertebrates, mysis, nekton, zooplankton.

Reproduction

Spawning occurs in the coastal zone. Juveniles develop near shore in the warm waters of estuaries and lagoons. 

Fishing

There is a small commercial fishery for this species. Sardinella melanura considered a reliable and very good bait for tuna fishing.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.