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Smooth croaker (Johnius laevis) — Sciaenidae

Smooth croaker

Johnius laevis
Family: Sciaenidae

The Smooth croaker (Johnius laevis) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
45.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Smooth croaker is a croaker (Sciaenidae) from turbid coastal and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate, silver-grey body and a large swim bladder with which it makes a drumming sound. As a bottom-oriented fish it searches over sand and mud for worms, small crustaceans and small fish. It is locally a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Smooth croaker?

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

Where does the Smooth croaker live?

The Smooth croaker lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Smooth croaker get?

The Smooth croaker grows to a maximum of about 14 cm. On average the species is around 11 cm.

Is the Smooth croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Smooth croaker is harmless to humans.

Is the Smooth croaker edible?

Yes, the Smooth croaker is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gladde ombervis sourced
English name
Smooth croaker sourced
Scientific name
Johnius laevis
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Smooth croaker; Smooth jewfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Average length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
45.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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