Breams (Whiptails)

Overview

Species of the Nemipteridae family are found mainly in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific. They are distinguished by having a single continuous dorsal fin, with 10 spines and 9 soft rays, and anal fin with 3 spines and 7 to 8 soft rays. Their colours are extremely variable, but often pinkish or reddish with red, yellow or blue markings.

Nemipterids are carnivorous bottom-living fishes feeding mainly on other small fishes, cephalopods, crustaceans, and polychaetes. They can be solitary or schooling and do not appear to be territorial.

Worldwide, there are 5 genera and about 66 species. The 5 genera are Nemipterus (Threadfin Breams), Parascolopsis (Dwarf Monocle Breams), Pentapodus (Whiptails), Scaevius (Coral Breams) and Scolopsis (Monocle Breams).

Whiptails or Pentapodus are distinguished from other nemipterids by having 2 to 3 pairs of small canines teeth anteriorly in upper jaw, a single pair of larger, flared canines teeth anteriorly on either side of lower jaw. Their body depth are 3 to 3.5 times in standard length.

Common Whiptail Breams Species

Scientific Name: Pentapodus bifasciatus (Bleeker, 1848)
English Name: White Shouldered Whiptail
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Anjang-anjang Dua Jalur
Main Identification Features: Upper body brown and white on ventral surface. Two white horizontal stripe at the side of body and a thin stripe close to dorsal fin. Caudal fin lobes pointed; not falcate.
Size: Maximum standard length 15 cm, commonly to 10 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Shallow coral reefs, to 20 m depth. Occurs solitary or in groups. Feeds mainly on small fishes, crustaceans, and polychaetes.

White Shouldered Whiptail, Pentapodus bifasciattus

Scientific Name: Pentapodus setosus (Valenciennes, 1830)
English Name: Butterfly Whiptail
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Anjang-anjang Monofilamen
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาสายรุ้ง (Plā s̄āyrûng)
Main Identification Features: Presence of two bluish stripes across snout, first from middle of eye to tip of snout, second from upper lip to lower margin of eye. Presence of a black spot on upper caudal peduncle.
Size: Maximum standard length 17.5 cm, commonly to 15 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Soft bottoms close to reefs, 5 to 50 m depth. Occurs in groups. Feeds mainly on small crustaceans.