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Cuja croaker (Macrospinosa cuja) — Sciaenidae

Cuja croaker

Macrospinosa cuja
Family: Sciaenidae

The Cuja croaker (Macrospinosa cuja) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 152 cm.

Length
152 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: India
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The cuja croaker is a croaker (Sciaenidae) from coastal and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 50 cm and has an elongate, silver-grey body with a large mouth and stout fin spines; like other croakers it makes a drumming sound with its swim bladder. As a predator it hunts small fish and crustaceans over sand and mud bottoms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cuja croaker?

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

Where does the Cuja croaker live?

The Cuja croaker lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: India

How big does the Cuja croaker get?

The Cuja croaker grows to a maximum of about 152 cm.

Is the Cuja croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Cuja 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 Cuja croaker edible?

Yes, the Cuja croaker is commonly eaten.

More photos

Cuja croaker (Macrospinosa cuja) — Sciaenidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Md. Sabbir Ahammed, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Cuja croaker sourced
Scientific name
Macrospinosa cuja
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Cuja bola sourced

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: India 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
Commonly eaten 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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