| Discoverer: |
Herre, 1927 |
| Distribution: |
Endemic to Lake Taal (formerly Lake Bombon), Luzon, the Philippines.
This freshwater lake, linked to the sea via the Pansipit River, was part
of Balayan Bay, South China Sea, and was formed by a series of volcanic eruptions
in the 18th century. |
| Description: |
This is the only species of Sardinella that is apparently found only,
or even mainly, in freshwater |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal softrays (total): 15-18; Anal spines:
0-0; Anal soft-rays: 18-21; Vertebrates: 39-42. Total scutes 28 to 30. gill
rakers slender, long and numerous.
Max. size: cm TL; 15.2 cm TL (female); max.weight: 27.3 g
Environment: pelagic
Climate: tropical; 18°N - 14°N
Global Importance: fisheries: Subsistence Fisheries. It's farmed in
pens in Taal and is the primary source of food and livelihood for the people
of Taal. In 1984, the total approximate haulk was 29000 tonnes. But more
recent hauls have been down to shockingly low levels of about 200 tonnes
(Thomas R. Hargrove, IRRI). In 1995, it was down to 60 tonnes (Fishbase.org)
-VERY bad. . |
| Threats: |
Presumbaly schooling. Also caught using ring nets. Eaten fresh or dried.
Is threatened by overfishing. |
| Interesting Info: |
Tawilis is the world's only known freshwater sardine. |
| Common Name: |
Tawilis, Freshwater sardinella, , Bombon sardine |
| Status: |
Endemic |
|
|
|
