| Family: |
Sciaenidae (Drums or croakers) |
| Max. size: |
21 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 77.2 g |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range 10 - 130 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: Nicaragua along the Caribbean coast and Atlantic coasts of South America to southern Brazil. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-24; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 7-8. Body silvery, grey on back and white on belly. Inside of opercle lining black, appearing as a dark triangular blotch externally. Base of pectoral fin and axil with a dark spot. Upper half of spinous dorsal fin dusky. Other fins pale. Mouth moderately large, slightly inferior. Tip of chin with a pointed flexible barbel. Gas bladder carrot-shaped, without appendages. Sagitta (large earstone) thick and ovoid, lapillus (small earstone) rudimentary (Ref 51721). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits coastal waters, usually over sandy mud bottoms (Ref. 3702). Feeds mainly on shrimps (Ref. 3702). Important food fish. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 October 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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