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Banded croaker (Paralonchurus dumerilii) — Sciaenidae

Banded croaker

Paralonchurus dumerilii
Family: Sciaenidae

The Banded croaker (Paralonchurus dumerilii) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Banded croaker is a croaker (Sciaenidae) from turbid coastal and estuarine water of the western Atlantic around South America. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with an inferior mouth; with its swim bladder it makes drumming sounds. As a bottom-oriented fish it searches over sand and mud for worms, crustaceans and small fish. It is locally a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded croaker?

The Banded croaker has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Banded croaker live?

The Banded croaker lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and others

How big does the Banded croaker get?

The Banded croaker grows to a maximum of about 45 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Banded croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded 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 Banded croaker edible?

Yes, the Banded croaker is commonly eaten.

More photos

Banded croaker (Paralonchurus dumerilii) — Sciaenidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Daniel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded croaker (Paralonchurus dumerilii) — Sciaenidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Andrey M. M., some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded croaker (Paralonchurus dumerilii) — Sciaenidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Andrey M. M., some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded croaker (Paralonchurus dumerilii) — Sciaenidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Jeanina Lisbeth López Loor, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Banded croaker sourced
Scientific name
Paralonchurus dumerilii
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Suco croaker sourced

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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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