Identification
Morphological Characteristics:
The body is elongated and slightly laterally compressed. It possesses a supramaxilla, lacks a pharyngobranchial plate, and has a pseudobranch. The anal fin is small, with a short base. Both the pectoral and pelvic fin bases have axillary scales. The lateral line is distinct. Larval fish, in the leptocephalus stage, reach a size of 80-100 mm, appearing highly laterally compressed and transparent. They differ from Elops saurus L. and Megalops cyprindes (Broussonet) in vertebral count and the number of dorsal and anal fin rays. Over time, the length decreases, and the fish transitions to a juvenile form. Adults reach 50.8 cm in length, with the largest individuals measuring up to 90 cm (Weber and Beaufort, 1913), potentially reaching 100 cm and weighing 8.3 kg (according to Rass T.S., 1971).
Biology and Ecology
Diet:
The primary diet consists of worms (both many-bristle and few-bristle worms), mollusks, and crustaceans. They typically inhabit small schools in areas with sandy or muddy bottoms near brackish river mouths, coastal waters, and bays.
Distribution
Vietnam:
- Nam Dinh (Ninh Co River estuary)
- South Central Coast (Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan)
- Southern Region (Mekong Delta, including Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, and Soc Trang provinces)
Global:
Widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans: China, North Korea, Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Melanesia, Polynesia, Micronesia, Hawaii, India, and Sri Lanka.
Value
The meat is considered very tasty, but the yield is very low, and therefore, it has little economic significance.
Conservation Status
Very rare. The species has become exceptionally rare in the last five years due to overexploitation.
IUCN Red List Category: VU A1d C1.
Conservation Measures
This species should be included in the list of protected species by the Fisheries Department. Fishing and trading of this species should be prohibited. Public awareness campaigns are needed to educate people about the importance of protecting rare species. If caught (e.g., using purse seines or lift nets), the fish should be released immediately if alive. Research on captive breeding and artificial propagation is necessary.