MALAYAN FISHES. 17 
HERRINGS. 
(CLUPEIDAE.) 
This is a very large and important family. The members 
range in size from the Parang-parang (Chirocentrus dorab) 
which is said to exceed a length of 12 feet to the Bilis (Stole- 
phorus tri) which measures not more than 3 or 4 inches. 
Although this family is of great commercial importance in 
Malaya, and the Herrings, Shad, Sprat, Sardines, White-bait and 
Anchovies belonging to it are highly esteemed for their flavour and 
food value by the Malays and all Eastern races, they are unknown 
to the great majority of European residents in this part of the 
world, with the exception of the Bilis, which is occasionally seen 
served as “ White bait” or as a sambal with curries or in bottled 
form as Macassar Red fish. 
From an economic point of view this family is second to none 
in importance and the fact that some of the most valuable kinds 
associate at certain periods in immense shoals accounts for the use- 
fulness of the family as a food supply. 
The following are the most important members of the herring 
family in our waters: 
The Parang-parang (Chirocentrus dorab), the Térubok 
(Clupea (Alosa) macrura), the Sélangat (Dorosoma spp.), the 
Tamban (Clupea (Harengula) spp.), (Dussumieria spp.) and 
(Spratelloides spp.), the Bilis (Stolephorus spp.) and the Bulu 
ayam (Hngraulis spp.). 
The Parang-parang is a very bony fish of excellent flavour 
and its capture by hand line provides a livelihood for several 
hundred Malays in Singapore alone. 
Passengers by steamers proceeding through the Eastern en- 
trance to Singapore roads will see a large number of small canoes 
in the deep water channel and will hear the noise of the rattles, 
which each Malay fisherman wields unceasingly. These rattles do 
not attract the fish, but keep the hand oecupied and the fisherman 
on the “ qui vive.” The Parang-parang is not a greedy biter and 
does not stay in one place. He is a rapid swimming predacious fish 
who has no time for more than a snap as he darts through the water. 
Bites are usually few and far between and an inexpert or somnolent 
fisherman would catch nothing. With an ever moving hand en- 
gaged with a rattle the fish is struck and hooked almost at the in- 
stant he bites. 
The Térubok is a Shad and is considerably larger than the 
ordinary herring. It is known to Europeans in India as the 
** Hilsa ” or “ Sable fish.” Day says: 
“They are excellent as food until they have deposited 
their ova, when they become thin and positively unwholesome. 
Their flavour has been compared to a combination of that of 
the salmon and herring: they are rather heavy of digestion.” 
