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Bigtooth corvina (Isopisthus parvipinnis) — Sciaenidae

Bigtooth corvina

Isopisthus parvipinnis
Family: Sciaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bigtooth corvina (Isopisthus parvipinnis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 42 cm.

Length
41.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
1.0–45.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Shallow coastal waters of eastern South America.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

Isopisthus parvipinnis, the bigtooth corvina, is a drum of the family Sciaenidae from coastal waters of eastern South America. The species has a streamlined, silvery body with conspicuous, enlarged canine teeth in the mouth and reaches about 42 cm. It lives in shallow coastal waters over sandy-mud or soft mud bottoms. The diet consists mainly of small shrimps. The species is an important food fish that is fished commercially in places. Like other drums it can produce drumming sounds with its swim bladder.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigtooth corvina?

The Bigtooth corvina has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Enlarged canine teeth in the mouth; makes drumming sounds with the swim bladder.

Where does the Bigtooth corvina live?

The Bigtooth corvina lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Shallow coastal waters of eastern South America.

How big does the Bigtooth corvina get?

The Bigtooth corvina grows to a maximum of about 42 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Bigtooth corvina dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigtooth corvina 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 Bigtooth corvina edible?

The Bigtooth corvina is rarely eaten.

More photos

Bigtooth corvina (Isopisthus parvipinnis) — Sciaenidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) lfbl-p-etal, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bigtooth corvina (Isopisthus parvipinnis) — Sciaenidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Biodiversity Heritage Library (CC BY 2.0)
Bigtooth corvina (Isopisthus parvipinnis) — Sciaenidae — 4
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Bigtooth corvina (Isopisthus parvipinnis) — Sciaenidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Eric Fischer Rempe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bigtooth corvina verified
Scientific name
Isopisthus parvipinnis
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Bigtooth corvina; Corvina; Croaker; Shortfin corvina verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
41.5 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
45.0 verified
Natural range
Shallow coastal waters of eastern South America. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small shrimps sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Enlarged canine teeth in the mouth; makes drumming sounds with the swim bladder. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 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 Isopisthus

More from the family Sciaenidae

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