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Colon stardrum (Stellifer colonensis) — Sciaenidae

Colon stardrum

Stellifer colonensis
Family: Sciaenidae

The Colon stardrum (Stellifer colonensis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Belize, Colombia, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico and others

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Description

The Colon stardrum is a stardrum (Sciaenidae) from turbid coastal and estuarine water of the Caribbean. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a stocky, silver-grey body with a blunt, rounded head and a large swim bladder with which it makes a drumming sound. As a bottom-oriented fish it searches over sand and mud for worms, small crustaceans and small fish. It is locally a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Colon stardrum?

The Colon stardrum has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Colon stardrum live?

The Colon stardrum lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Belize, Colombia, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico and others

How big does the Colon stardrum get?

The Colon stardrum grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Colon stardrum dangerous to humans?

No, the Colon stardrum 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Colon stardrum sourced
Scientific name
Stellifer colonensis
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Drum; Stardrum; Croaker verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Belize, Colombia, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico 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

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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 Stellifer

More from the family Sciaenidae

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