Author: Boulenger, 1906
Comments: Occurs in inshore regions with a soft mud bottom.  Few specimens caught over sand and shingle bottoms (Ref. 4983).  The stomach and intestinal contents of specimens which were examined indicate that w/in a size range of 8.4-13.5 cm SL, <i>H. ishmaeli</i> feeds almost exclusively on mollusks, with accidental ingestion of insects (Ref. 558).