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Goatee croaker (Dendrophysa russelii) — Sciaenidae

Goatee croaker

Dendrophysa russelii
Family: Sciaenidae

The Goatee croaker (Dendrophysa russelii) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
38.3 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bangladesh, Brunei Darsm, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The goatee croaker is a croaker (Sciaenidae) from coastal and brackish water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 38 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a short barbel on the chin, like a goatee. As a bottom-oriented fish it searches turbid coastal and estuarine water for shrimp, worms and small fish; it drums with the swim bladder. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Goatee croaker?

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

Where does the Goatee croaker live?

The Goatee croaker lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Bangladesh, Brunei Darsm, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China and others

How big does the Goatee croaker get?

The Goatee croaker grows to a maximum of about 38 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Goatee croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Goatee 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 Goatee croaker edible?

Yes, the Goatee croaker is commonly eaten.

More photos

Goatee croaker (Dendrophysa russelii) — Sciaenidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — BEDO (Thailand) (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Goatee croaker (Dendrophysa russelii) — Sciaenidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Goatee croaker (Dendrophysa russelii) — Sciaenidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — George Henry Ford (Public domain)
Goatee croaker (Dendrophysa russelii) — Sciaenidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Ravi Naidu, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Goatee croaker sourced
Scientific name
Dendrophysa russelii
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Goatee croaker; Croaker; Goatee-croaker; Jewfish; Jew-fish croaker; Russell's croaker; Russell's jewfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
38.3 verified
Average length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Bangladesh, Brunei Darsm, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China 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

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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