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Kathala croaker (Kathala axillaris) — Sciaenidae

Kathala croaker

Kathala axillaris
Family: Sciaenidae

The Kathala croaker (Kathala axillaris) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
27 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Sri Lanka, India
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Kathala croaker is a croaker (Sciaenidae) from coastal and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 22 cm and has an elongate, silver-grey body with an inferior mouth and stout ear-stones; like other croakers it makes a drumming sound with its swim bladder. As a bottom-oriented fish it searches over sand and mud bottoms for worms, small crustaceans and molluscs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Kathala croaker?

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

Where does the Kathala croaker live?

The Kathala croaker lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Sri Lanka, India

How big does the Kathala croaker get?

The Kathala croaker grows to a maximum of about 27 cm. On average the species is around 18 cm.

Is the Kathala croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Kathala 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 Kathala croaker edible?

Yes, the Kathala croaker is commonly eaten.

More photos

Kathala croaker (Kathala axillaris) — Sciaenidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Teja Yantrapalli, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Kathala croaker (Kathala axillaris) — Sciaenidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — George Henry Ford (Public domain)
Kathala croaker (Kathala axillaris) — Sciaenidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Vivek.N.Rathod, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Kathala croaker (Kathala axillaris) — Sciaenidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Akshay Chaitanya Talachintala, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Kathala croaker sourced
Scientific name
Kathala axillaris
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Kathala croaker; Croaker verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
27.0 verified
Average length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Sri Lanka, 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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