Sillaginidae

Large-headed whiting

Sillago megacephalus

Head occupies third body length

• Tropical
• Northern Hemisphere
• Regional distribution
• Marine fish
• Pacific Ocean
• East Asia
• Elongated
• Medium
• Tropical fish

The large-headed whiting (Sillago megacephalus) is a dubious species of coastal marine fish in the smelt-whiting family that has only been recorded from one specimen captured off the coast of China in 1933. Although very similar to Sillago sihama, the species is characterised by an unusually large head which accounts for 33% of the total body length.