| Family: |
Sciaenidae (Drums or croakers) |
| Max. size: |
60 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 55.3 g; max. reported age: 7 years |
| Environment: |
demersal; brackish; marine; depth range - 60 m, oceanodromous |
| Distribution: |
Western to Southwest Atlantic: Greater Antilles and from Costa Rica to Argentina (Ref. 9626). Also reported in Nicaragua (Ref. 13613). Also reported in Brazil (Ref. 118626). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26-30; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 7-9. Body silvery with a golden cast, back greyish, with distinct oblique dark streaks along scale rows extending to much below lateral line; spinous dorsal without small dark dots (Ref. 27363). |
| Biology: |
Found over muddy and sandy bottoms in coastal waters and in estuaries where the nursery and feeding grounds are located. Adults form schools. Feeding habits vary with ontogenic development and season; juveniles feed on benthic migratory crustaceans and sessile boring mollusks while adults are benthos-feeders and occasionally capture fish (Ref. 27). Undergoes seasonal migration. An important food fish which is usually marketed fresh and salted. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 30 July 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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