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Common Peruvian weakfish (Cynoscion analis) — Sciaenidae

Common Peruvian weakfish

Cynoscion analis
Family: Sciaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Common Peruvian weakfish (Cynoscion analis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 47 cm.

Length
47 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
10.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Peruvian weakfish is a croaker from the eastern Pacific, off the coast of Peru and Ecuador. The species grows to about 47 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with a large mouth. Like other croakers it can produce drumming sounds with its swim bladder. It lives in shallow coastal and estuarine water and hunts small fish, shrimp and crustaceans. It is an important and valued commercial food fish in the region. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Common Peruvian weakfish?

The Common Peruvian weakfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Makes drumming sounds with the swim bladder; coastal drum

Where does the Common Peruvian weakfish live?

The Common Peruvian weakfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific

How big does the Common Peruvian weakfish get?

The Common Peruvian weakfish grows to a maximum of about 47 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Common Peruvian weakfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Common Peruvian weakfish 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 Common Peruvian weakfish edible?

Yes, the Common Peruvian weakfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Common Peruvian weakfish (Cynoscion analis) — Sciaenidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) smithsonian_marinegeo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Common Peruvian weakfish (Cynoscion analis) — Sciaenidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Carlo Brescia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common Peruvian weakfish (Cynoscion analis) — Sciaenidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) ulrich zanabria, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Common Peruvian weakfish (Cynoscion analis) — Sciaenidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) bryanxxl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Common Peruvian weakfish verified
Scientific name
Cynoscion analis
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Peruvian weakfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
47.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, shrimps and crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Schooling coastal croaker; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Makes drumming sounds with the swim bladder; coastal drum sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Nets and handlines sourced
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 Cynoscion

More from the family Sciaenidae

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