 Sillaginids are primarily inshore marine fishes inhabiting stretches of coastal waters, although a few species move offshore in their adult stages to deep sand banks or reefs to a maximum known depth of 180 m. All species primarily occupy sandy, silty or muddy substrates, often using seagrass or reef as cover.They commonly inhabit tidal flats, beach zones, broken bottoms and large areas of uniform substrate.Although the family is marine, many species inhabit estuarine environments, with some such as "Sillaginopsis panijus" also found in the upper reaches of the estuary.