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Bighead pennah croaker (Pennahia macrocephalus) — Sciaenidae

Bighead pennah croaker

Pennahia macrocephalus
Family: Sciaenidae

The Bighead pennah croaker (Pennahia macrocephalus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
27.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and others
Edibility
Highly prized

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Description

The bighead pennah croaker is a croaker (Sciaenidae) from turbid coastal and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a large head and 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 a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bighead pennah croaker?

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

Where does the Bighead pennah croaker live?

The Bighead pennah croaker lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and others

How big does the Bighead pennah croaker get?

The Bighead pennah croaker grows to a maximum of about 28 cm. On average the species is around 18 cm.

Is the Bighead pennah croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Bighead pennah 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 Bighead pennah croaker edible?

Yes, the Bighead pennah croaker is a highly prized food fish.

More photos

Bighead pennah croaker (Pennahia macrocephalus) — Sciaenidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) sdyaung, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bighead pennah croaker (Pennahia macrocephalus) — Sciaenidae — 3
sdyaung (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Bighead pennah croaker (Pennahia macrocephalus) — Sciaenidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) sdyaung, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bighead pennah croaker (Pennahia macrocephalus) — Sciaenidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) sdyaung, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bighead pennah croaker sourced
Scientific name
Pennahia macrocephalus
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Big-head pennah croaker; Croaker; Jewfish; Big-head croaker verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore 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
Highly prized 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 Pennahia

More from the family Sciaenidae

Fin

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