Home · Sciaenidae · Guyanan croaker
Guyanan croaker (Pachypops fourcroi) — Sciaenidae

Guyanan croaker

Pachypops fourcroi
Family: Sciaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Guyanan croaker (Pachypops fourcroi) is a freshwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northern South America
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Guyanan croaker?

Get the app

Description

The Guyanan croaker is a drum that lives in fresh water in the Amazon and Orinoco basins and in the rivers of the Guianas in South America. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a silvery body. It occurs in estuaries but mainly in rivers, sometimes far upstream beyond large waterfalls, and sometimes forms small schools. As a predator it hunts fish. It is a valued food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Guyanan croaker?

The Guyanan croaker has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Freshwater drum; penetrates far upstream, even beyond waterfalls

Where does the Guyanan croaker live?

The Guyanan croaker lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Northern South America

How big does the Guyanan croaker get?

The Guyanan croaker grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Guyanan croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Guyanan 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 Guyanan croaker edible?

Yes, the Guyanan croaker is commonly eaten.

More photos

Guyanan croaker (Pachypops fourcroi) — Sciaenidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Joachim Langeneck (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Guyanan croaker (Pachypops fourcroi) — Sciaenidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Gabriel Lelis Togni (CC BY 4.0)
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Guyanan croaker?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Guyanan croaker is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Guyanan croaker verified
Scientific name
Pachypops fourcroi
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Guyanan croaker verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Natural range
Northern South America verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes and crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
River fish; spawns in the rainy season. sourced
Special features
Freshwater drum; penetrates far upstream, even beyond waterfalls sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with baitfish or lures in rivers. 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

More from the family Sciaenidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Guyanan croaker?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Guyanan croaker is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Guyanan croaker? Get the app