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Nemipterus virgatus
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Osterichythyes
Order:
Perciformes
Family:
Nemipteridae
Genus:
Nemipterus
Species:
Nemipterus virgatus
Author:
Houttuyn, 1782
Common Name: Golden threadfin bream (FAO, UN), Hung Sam (Hong
Kong)
Chinese Name: ¬õm³½ (ª÷½u³½)
Features:
1) Body:
Body depth contained 302 to 4.0 times in the standard length.
2) Head:
Snout longer than diameter of eye, diameter of eye contained 3.4 - 4.3
times in
head length.
3) Dorsal fin:
A line drawn up from the posterior edge of suborbital reaching the dorsal
profile
5- 7 scale rows before origin of dorsal fin.
Pectoral fins: 1.0
- 1.2 times in head length.
Pelvic fins:
1.0 - 2.5 times in head length.
Caudal fin:
Moderately forked, upper lobe produced into trailing filament.
4) Color:
Body pink, paler below; yellow stripe on back above lateral line; 5 yellow
stripes on sides beneath lateral line. Head pink, a yellow stripe from
upper lip
extending to anteroventral margin of eye. Dorsal fin pale pink, with broad
yellow margin, a yellow stripe above base of dorsal fin. Anal fin translucent
pinkish with yellow submarginal stripe and narrow yellow stripe above base
of anal fin. Caudal fin pink. Pelvic fins pinkish. Pectoral fins translucent
pinkish.
5) Size:
Attains 35cm Standard Length, common size 23cm SL, specimen size 24cm TL.
Distribution:
Southern Japan, East China Sea, northern of South China Sea from Vietnam
to
Formosa Strait, northwestern Australia and Arafura Sea.
Habitat:
On mud or sand bottom in depth down to about 220m.
Economy:
Important because of abundance and best sale in local markets. By capture
fishery, no/rarely aquaculture.
Specimen found: Bought at King Lam Estate Market, Tseung
Kwan O, Hong Kong.
Cooking Method: Steam or fry.
References: p.97, RB02; p.59-60, RB03; p.46-47, RB07.
Created by Kenny Cheung,
K.K. Last updated on 1 February, 2000.
