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Blackspotted croaker (Protonibea diacanthus) — Sciaenidae

Blackspotted croaker

Protonibea diacanthus
Family: Sciaenidae

The Blackspotted croaker (Protonibea diacanthus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 150 cm.

Length
150 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
5.0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darsm, Myanmar, Cambodia and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The blackspotted croaker is a large croaker (Sciaenidae) from turbid coastal and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species can grow to about 1.5 metres and has an elongate body that in juveniles is dotted with black spots, and a large swim bladder with which it makes a loud drumming sound. As a predator it searches over sand and mud for fish, shrimp and crabs. It is a highly valued food fish, partly for its swim bladder. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackspotted croaker?

The Blackspotted croaker has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Blackspotted croaker live?

The Blackspotted croaker lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darsm, Myanmar, Cambodia and others

How big does the Blackspotted croaker get?

The Blackspotted croaker grows to a maximum of about 150 cm. On average the species is around 100 cm.

Is the Blackspotted croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackspotted 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 Blackspotted croaker edible?

Yes, the Blackspotted croaker is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blackspotted croaker (Protonibea diacanthus) — Sciaenidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Akmal Idham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackspotted croaker (Protonibea diacanthus) — Sciaenidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Blackspotted croaker (Protonibea diacanthus) — Sciaenidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Vin Rushworth, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Blackspotted croaker (Protonibea diacanthus) — Sciaenidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Hamid Badar Osmany (CC BY 3.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blackspotted croaker sourced
Scientific name
Protonibea diacanthus
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Black jewfish; Blackspotted croacker; Blackspotted croaker; Spotted croaker; Croaker; Two-spined jewfish; Black jew; Blotched jewfish; Blotched tigertooth croaker; Bronze croaker; Drum; Jew fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large
Max length (cm)
150 sourced
Average length (cm)
100.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darsm, Myanmar, Cambodia 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
levensduur_max_jaar
8.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten 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

More from the family Sciaenidae

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