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Boeseman croaker (Boesemania microlepis) — Sciaenidae

Boeseman croaker

Boesemania microlepis
Family: Sciaenidae

The Boeseman croaker (Boesemania microlepis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Viet Nam, Thailand
Edibility
Highly prized

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Description

The Boeseman croaker is a large croaker (Sciaenidae) from fresh and brackish water of the large rivers of Southeast Asia, including the Mekong and Chao Phraya. The species grows to about 1 metre and has an elongate, silvery body with a tall dorsal fin. As a bottom-oriented predator it lives in deep river channels and hunts fish and shrimp; males make loud drumming sounds with the swim bladder in the breeding season. It is an important food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Boeseman croaker?

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

Where does the Boeseman croaker live?

The Boeseman croaker lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Viet Nam, Thailand

How big does the Boeseman croaker get?

The Boeseman croaker grows to a maximum of about 100 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Boeseman croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Boeseman 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 Boeseman croaker edible?

Yes, the Boeseman croaker is a highly prized food fish.

More photos

Boeseman croaker (Boesemania microlepis) — Sciaenidae — 2
Naturalis Biodiversity Center (CC0 1.0) via GBIF
Boeseman croaker (Boesemania microlepis) — Sciaenidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Niran Anurakpongsathorn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Boeseman croaker (Boesemania microlepis) — Sciaenidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) 李博恒, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Boeseman croaker (Boesemania microlepis) — Sciaenidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) kobmanee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Boeseman croaker sourced
Scientific name
Boesemania microlepis
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Boeseman croaker; Croaker; Smallscale croaker verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Viet Nam, Thailand 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

More from the family Sciaenidae

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