This medium size family of tropical Indo-Pacific fish can most commonly be found in the West Pacific and around Malaysia, extending from the northern coast of Australia up to southern Japan. Some species are found instead in the Indian Ocean from East Africa to Malaysia, while a few species extend across both ranges, in whole or in part. The family gets its name from many species having a thread extending from the top of the tail (length varies). While small (up to about 13 inches), some of these fish are important food fish in the West Pacific region.
More on Varieties of Fish
(very large page).
This small West Pacific fish is commercially important in the East and
South China Seas and is common in Asian markets in California. It is
aso sold as Daing (dried fish)
in Philippine markets. While these fish can grow to a little over 13
inches, the photo specimen, caught wild in Vietnam, was 10-1/2 inches
long and weighing 8 ounces. The name comes from a yellow thread
extending an inch or so from the top tip of the tail but this will
be missing by time the fish is in the market, due to handling while
frozen.
Prep & Cooking Details.
This small West Pacific fish is commercially important in the East and
South China Seas and is common in Asian markets in California. While
these fish can grow to a nearly 8 inches, the photo specimen, dried, was
7-1/4 inches long. This fish is commonly sold salted and dried in the
refrigerated cases of Philippine markets.
Details and Cooking.