Latin name

Nemipterus bipunctatus

Other name

Bleeker's threadfin bream

Identification

The body length of the Delagoa threadfin bream is almost four times its depth. The length of the snout is approximately equal to the diameter of the eye. The anterior part of the upper jaw has 3 or 4 pairs of small, curved, canine-like teeth. The suborbital process is absent. Forearm with 3 transverse rows of scales. A line drawn from the posterior margin of the suborbital fins reaches the dorsal profile about 3-5 scales before the beginning of the dorsal fin. The scale rows on the body below the lateral line curve upwards anteriorly. Axillary scales are present.

Features of fish fins

The dorsal fin is supported by 10 spines and 9 soft rays, while the anal fin is supported by 3 spines and 7 soft rays. The dorsal fin is absent. The pectoral fins are moderately long and extend to or beyond the anus, while the pelvic fins are long and extend to the beginning of the anal fin. The caudal fin is bifurcated and the blades are of approximately equal length. 

Fish colouring

The upper body is pinkish, becoming silvery towards the lower body and ventral surface. There are 5 to 7 greenish-yellow stripes on the front, which curve upwards and end below the lateral line. The snout has two indistinct bluish or purple stripes, one in front of the eyes and the other connecting the upper lip and eye, the dorsal fin is pale pink with a reddish edge and a yellow stripe below this edge. The anal fin is bluish-white with 2-4 wavy yellow stripes, the caudal fin is yellowish-pink and the pectoral and ventral fins are hyaline. 

Distribution

Widespread in the Indian Ocean from the east coast of Africa to the Red Sea, north to Israel and Jordan, south to Maputo in Mozambique, across the Indian Ocean including the Persian Gulf, Madagascar, Mascarene Islands, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal to the Straits of Malacca. 

Habitat

A tropical marine bottom-dwelling fish that lives at depths of 18 to 100 m (59 to 328 ft) on sandy and muddy surfaces. 

Size

The maximum published total length of this species is 30 cm (12 inches), although 25 cm (9.8 inches) is more typical.

Behavior

The Delagoa threadfin bream is a non-migratory species. 

Food and feeding habits

Delagoa threadfin bream prey on fish, crustaceans, cephalopods and polychaetes.

Reproduction

There is an obvious sexual dimorphism in size: males are larger, females smaller. They may be protogynous hermaphrodites or males may grow faster than females. They spawn throughout the year with one or two periods of maximum breeding activity.

Fishing

It is caught using hand lines and bottom trawls. Although this is a large commercial fishery, it can be seen in small numbers in fish markets. 

Relationship with a person

Harmless.