Talang queenfish (Scomberoides commersonnianus)

Description

Talang queenfish fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Talang queenfish description

An elongated, streamlined, predatory fish of the Indian and west Pacific Oceans, the Talang queenfish (Scomberoides commersonnianus) may be recognised by its vivid, silvery body and relatively small fins. This powerful fish has rather short anal and dorsal fins, with the rear of the fins being reduced to just small spines, and a blunt snout and large mouth, armed with several rows of fine teeth. The attractive, bright, silver body contrasts with golden yellow streaks on the sides and dark yellow fins, while five to eight distinct dark blotches also run above the lateral line. The upperside of the Talang queenfish is sometimes tinged with dark green, and white on the underside ^{(2) (3)}.

Also known as

giant queenfish, largemouth queensfish, queenfish, Talang queen fish, Talang queen-fish.

Talang queenfish biology

The diurnal Talang queenfish is a voracious predator that feeds on small fish, crabs and squid living near the bottom of the sea ^{(2) (3) (4)}. Breeding occurs between September and March when the male and female simultaneously release thousands of sperm and eggs into the water for external fertilisation. The developing larval fish drift passively within the ocean currents, with adult Talang queenfish reaching sexual maturity at four to five years of age ^{(3) (5)}. Although it is not a true shoaling fish, the Talang queenfish does form small groups ^{(2) (3) (4)}.

Talang queenfish range

The Talang queenfish is found only in tropical waters of the Indian and west Pacific Oceans. Although it is found as far west as eastern Africa and as far east as Japan ⁽³⁾, the greatest abundance of the Talang queenfish occurs from south-east Asia to northern Australia ⁽³⁾.

Talang queenfish habitat

The Talang queenfish is primarily found in coastal reefs to depths of 80 metres, but is also found in brackish water ^{(2) (3)}.

Talang queenfish status

The Talang queenfish has yet to be classified by the IUCN.

Talang queenfish threats

Currently, there are no known threats to the Talang queenfish, as it is of only minor value in commercial and game fishing ⁽³⁾.

Talang queenfish conservation

There are currently no known conservation plans targeting the Talang queenfish.

Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is a principal sponsor of ARKive. EAD is working to protect and conserve the environment as well as promoting sustainable development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Find out more

For more information on the World Fisheries Trust, see:

• World Fisheries Trust:
  http://www.worldfish.org/

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Glossary

Anal fin

In fish, an unpaired fin on the under surface of a fish, behind the anus.

Brackish

Slightly salty water, usually a mixture of salt and freshwater, such as that found in estuaries.

Diurnal

Active during the day.

Dorsal fin

The unpaired fin found on the back of the body of fish, or the raised structure on the back of most cetaceans.

Fertilisation

The fusion of gametes (male and female reproductive cells) to produce an embryo, which grows into a new individual.

Larvae

Stage in an animal’s lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.

Lateral line

A row of receptors that can detect movement via vibrations in water. The receptors are typically embedded in the skin, and in fish they form a line along the sides of the body.

References

1. UNEP-WCMC (October, 2009)
   http://www.unep-wcmc.org/
2. King, D. and Fraser, V. (2001) More Reef Fishes and Nudibranchs: East and South Coast of Southern Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa.
3. FishBase - Talang queenfish (October, 2010)
   http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=1950
4. Van der Elst, R. (1993) A Guide to the Common Sea Fishes of Southern Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa.
5. Griffiths, S., Fry, G. and van der Velde, T. (2005) Age, Growth and Reproductive Dynamics of the Talang Queenfish (Scomberoides commersonnianus) in Northern Australia. Final Report to the National Oceans Office. National Oceans Office and CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Australia.