Max length : 35.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2295); common length : 25.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2295)
Environment
Reef-associated; non-migratory; marine; depth range 20 - 80 m (Ref. 2295)
Climate / Range
Tropical; 35°N - 9°S
Indo-West Pacific: southern Japan to the Indo-Malaysian region, probably eastward to India. Has often been confused w/ the young of Gymnocranius grandoculis, hence its distributional limits are somewhat obscure. Records of Gymnocranius griseus from the Western Indian Ocean probably pertain to Gymnocranius grandoculis. Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions
Short description
Dorsalspines
(total): 10;
Dorsalsoft rays
(total): 9 - 10;
Analspines: 3;
Analsoft rays: 9 - 10. Eye diameter is relatively large, its diameter about equal to or slightly larger than preorbital and interorbital width. Overall color is silvery, frequently with a diffuse vivid pattern of 5 to 8 narrow dark bars on the side, including one through the eye and across the cheek. Fins are mainly clear to yellowish; sometimes there is diffuse mottling or spotting on dorsal, caudal and anal fins. Often there is a narrow brown bar across the base of the pectoral fins. Some adults possess a few scattered blue spots or scribbling on the snout and cheek (Ref. 2295). Relatively ovoid body and pointed caudal lobes are distinct (Ref. 37816).
In sheltered coastal bays and sand and mud slopes in depths over 20 m (Ref. 48635); also in coastal trawling grounds. Juveniles sometimes in shallow estuaries on algae reefs (Ref. 48635). Sometimes forms schools. Feeds on bottom-living invertebrates. Sexually mature upon reaching 15-17 cm SL. Sometimes caught with handlines and marketed dried (Ref. 9775) or fresh. In Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253).
