Hilsa kelee (Cuvier 1829)

Apparently does not form large schools, but enters artisanal fisheries (e.g. in Godavari estuary, eastern coast of India). The total catch reported for this species to FAO for 1999 was 90 111 t. The countries with the largest catches were India (90 111 t).

Marine, pelagic,but entering estuaries and able to tolerate quite low salinities (7°/oo). Feeds chiefly on phytoplankton (mainly diatoms, also dinoflagellates), but also copepods, molluscan and crustacean larvae, prawns, amphipods and polychaetes (Godavari estuary, Babu Rao, 1966) . Spawns (at least in Godavari estuary) around February (Babu Rao, loc. cit.).

To 24.4 cm standard length, usually about 15 to 18 cm.

Indo-West Pacific(probably all coasts of Indian Ocean, from Gulf of Oman and Gulf of Aden south to Durban and Madagascar, across the Bay of Bengal, Gulf of Thailand, Java Sea and north to Hong Kong and east to Papua New Guinea and possibly further).

Body fairly deep and compressed, belly with distinct keel of scutes. Top of head with numerous fronto-parietal striae; upper jaw with median notch. Gillrakers about 100 to 175, those on inner arches distinctly curled; outer row of gill filaments on first arch not more than half length of gillrakers. A series of small triangular scales above axil of pectoral fin; hind part of body scales perforated. A black spot behind gill cover, usually followed by up to 10 spots along flank. Deep-bodied Sardinella species have no notch in midline of upper jaw and no spots along flank; species of Tenualosa have no fronto-parietal striae, more or less straight gillrakers on inner arches and no perforations on scales; gizzard shads (Nematalosa, Anodontostoma) have an inferior mouth.

Diagnosis: Body fairly deep and compressed, belly with distinct keel of scutes; top of head with numerous fronto-parietal striae; upper jaw with median notch; gillrakers about 100 to 175, those on inner arches distinctly curled; outer row of gill filaments on first arch not more than half length of gillrakers; a series of small triangular scales above axil of pectoral fin; hind part of body scales perforated (Ref. 188). A black spot behind gill cover, usually followed by up to 10 spots along flank (Ref. 188).Description: Body fusiform, fairly deep and compressed; belly with a distinct keel of scutes (Ref. 3107). Top of head with numerous, 8-14, fronto-parietal striae; upper jaw with a distinct median notch; 2 supramaxillae present (Ref. 188, 3107, 3259, 30573). Gillrakers very fine and numerous, 75-175 on lower limb of first gill arch, those on inner arches curled; number increasing with growth (Ref. 3107, 3259). Dorsal fin origin a little before mid-point of body; anal fin short and well behind dorsal fin base; dorsal fin with 3-4 unbranched and 13-15 branched rays, anal fin with 2-4 unbranched and 15-19 branched rays, pectoral fin with 1 unbranched and 12-15 branched rays, pelvic fin with 1 unbranched and 7 branched rays (Ref. 3107, 3259). Scales on longitudinal series 39-44; posterior part of scales with perforations (Ref. 3107, 3259). Sharp keeled scutes present along belly; with 15-17 pre-pelvic scutes and 12-14 post-pelvic scutes (Ref. 28, 3259).Colouration: Back blue-green, flanks silvery with a black spot behind gill opening and up to 10 similar spots along flanks, or high up near dorsal profile (Ref. 188, 3107, 3259, 12484).

Faustula Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Anadromous. Fish that ascend rivers to spawn, as salmon and hilsa do. Sub-division of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16 - 19; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 17 - 23

Enters estuaries and able to tolerate quite low salinities (7 o/oo).

Found in coastal waters (Ref. 3107, 30573); marine, pelagic, but entering estuaries and able to tolerate quite low salinities (7 ppt) (Ref. 188). Feeds chiefly on phytoplankton, mainly diatoms, also dinoflagellates, but also copepods, molluscan and crustacean larvae, prawns, amphipods and polychaetes (Ref. 188). Spawns, at least in Godavari estuary, around February (Ref. 188). Marketed fresh, dried, dried-salted and boiled. Made into fish balls.

fisheries: highly commercial; bait: occasionally; price category: low; price reliability: reliable: based on ex-vessel price for this species

分布於印度-西太平洋區，西起非洲東岸，東至新幾內亞，北至南中國海、臺灣。臺灣分布於澎湖海域。

產量高之高經濟性魚種，全世界年產量在10,000-50,000公噸間。主要漁法為流刺網與圍網。一般多醃漬後出售，生鮮時可適合煎炸後食用，或製成魚粉。

體呈長卵圓形，側扁；腹部有稜鱗，15-16+14個。頭部頂骨緣寬，頂緣具許多細紋。吻等於成大於眼徑。眼側位；脂性眼臉發達。口小，端位；上下頜約等長；前上頜骨中間具顯著缺刻；上頜骨末端延伸至眼中部下方；無齒。鰓蓋骨光滑。體被圓鱗，後緣具細孔；背鰭和臀鰭基部之鱗鞘低；腹鰭基部具腋鱗；尾鰭具細鱗。背鰭位於體中部前方，末端軟條不延長如絲，具軟條16-17；臀鰭位於體之後半部，具軟條20-21；腹鰭軟條8；尾鰭深叉。體背部青綠色，體側下方和腹部銀白色；體側具4-7個暗色斑。

沿近海表層洄游性中小型魚類，有時會進入內灣或潟湖區內。群游性。以浮游動物為食。

Hilsa kelee, called the kelee shad, fivespot herring and the razorbelly, is a species of shad native to the coasts and estuaries of the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific, generally in tropical waters. It feeds on diatoms and dinoflagellates, and any other small plankton that it can trap in its gillrakers. Some individuals can reach 35 cm, but most are around 16.5 cm. Hilsa kelee is currently considered the only species in the genus Hilsa, although other species have been included in the genus previously.

The species is commercially fished, with 221,899 t landed in 2000, and 35,483 t landed in 2008.

Enters estuaries and able to tolerate quite low salinities (7 ppt). Feeds chiefly on phytoplankton (mainly diatoms, also dinoflagellates), but also copepods, molluscan and crustacean larvae, prawns, amphipods and polychaetes. Spawns (at least in Godavari estuary) around February. Marketed fresh, dried, dried-salted and boiled. Made into fish balls.