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Sicklefishes


Sicklefishes are members of the Drepaneidae family. They are found in Indo-west Pacific and West Africa waters. They have oval and strongly compressed body with highly protrusible mouth.

Sicklefishes are frequently found inshore, on sand or mud bottoms, reefs, estuaries and harbours. They feed on benthic invertebrates; mainly crustaceans and worms.

There is only one genus and about 3 species of sicklefishes worldwide. Two species are found in Malaysia waters.



Scientific Name: Drepane longimana  (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
English Name: Concertina Fish, Sicklefish
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 白曹喜 (Bái cáo xǐ)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Daun Baharu, Bebaru, Baharu-baharu, Daun-baru Belang
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาใบโพธิ์ (Plā bı phoṭhi)
Local Hokkien: Cao Xi
Main Identification Features: Body rectangular and strongly compressed. Mouth highly protrusible. Body silvery with dark cross bands.
Size: Maximum total length 50 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Soft and hard bottoms, to 50 m depth. Feeds on benthic invertebrates, mainly crustaceans and worms.

Concertina Fish, Sicklefish, Drepane longimana, Cao Xi




Scientific Name: Drepane punctata  (Linnaeus, 1758)
English Name: Spotted Sicklefish
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 曹喜 (Cáo xǐ)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Daun Baharu, Bebaru, Baharu-baharu, Daun-baru Bintik
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาใบโพธิ์จุด (Plā bı phoṭhi cud)
Local Hokkien: Cao Xi
Main Identification Features: Body angular and strongly compressed. Mouth highly protrusible. Body silvery with dark dotted cross lines.
Size: Maximum total length 50 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Soft and hard bottoms, to 50 m depth. Feeds on fishes and benthic invertebrates, mainly crustaceans and worms.

Spotted Sicklefish, Drepane punctata, Cao Xi