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Angel croaker (Paralonchurus goodei) — Sciaenidae

Angel croaker

Paralonchurus goodei
Family: Sciaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Angel croaker (Paralonchurus goodei) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
11.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The angel croaker is a croaker from the eastern Pacific, off the coast of Central and South America. The species grows to about 35 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a row of short chin barbels beneath the mouth. Like other croakers it makes drumming sounds with its swim bladder. It lives over sand and mud bottoms of shallow coastal water and hunts small crustaceans, worms and fish. It is a local food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Angel croaker?

The Angel croaker has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Row of short chin barbels; drumming coastal croaker

Where does the Angel croaker live?

The Angel croaker lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Eastern Pacific

How big does the Angel croaker get?

The Angel croaker grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Angel croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Angel croaker is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Angel croaker edible?

Yes, the Angel croaker is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Angel croaker verified
Scientific name
Paralonchurus goodei
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Goode croaker verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
11.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, worms and small fishes inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Schooling coastal croaker; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Row of short chin barbels; drumming coastal croaker sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Net fishing sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Paralonchurus

More from the family Sciaenidae

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