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Croaker (Johnius elongatus) — Sciaenidae

Croaker

Johnius elongatus
Family: Sciaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Croaker (Johnius elongatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The spindle croaker is a small croaker from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, silvery body. Like other croakers it makes drumming sounds with its swim bladder. It lives over sand and mud bottoms of shallow coastal water and hunts small crustaceans, worms and fish. It is a local food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Croaker?

The Croaker has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Elongate silvery body; drumming coastal croaker

Where does the Croaker live?

The Croaker lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-West Pacific

How big does the Croaker get?

The Croaker grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the 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 Croaker edible?

Yes, the Croaker is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Croaker verified
Scientific name
Johnius elongatus
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Spindle croaker verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, worms and small fishes inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Schooling coastal croaker; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Elongate silvery body; drumming coastal croaker sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Net fishing 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 Johnius

More from the family Sciaenidae

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