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Hollow stardrum

Stellifer ericymba
Family: Sciaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Hollow stardrum (Stellifer ericymba) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The hollow stardrum is a small croaker from the eastern Pacific, ranging from Mexico to Peru. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a silvery body. Like other croakers it can produce a drumming sound with its swim bladder; the name refers to the hollow, air-chambered head. As a bottom-dweller it lives over muddy bottoms of warm, shallow coastal waters to about 30 metres depth and feeds mainly on zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hollow stardrum?

The Hollow stardrum has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Makes a drumming sound with the swim bladder; inhabitant of muddy coastal bottoms

Where does the Hollow stardrum live?

The Hollow stardrum lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific

How big does the Hollow stardrum get?

The Hollow stardrum grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Hollow stardrum dangerous to humans?

No, the Hollow stardrum 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 Hollow stardrum edible?

The Hollow stardrum is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Hollow stardrum verified
Scientific name
Stellifer ericymba
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Hollow stardum verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) 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
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Bottom-dwelling croaker; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Makes a drumming sound with the swim bladder; inhabitant of muddy coastal bottoms sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 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 Stellifer

More from the family Sciaenidae

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