Home · Kyphosidae · Ashen drummer
Ashen drummer (Kyphosus cinerascens) — Kyphosidae

Ashen drummer

Kyphosus cinerascens
Family: Kyphosidae
LC · Least Concern

The Ashen drummer (Kyphosus cinerascens) is a saltwater fish of the family Kyphosidae that grows up to 53 cm.

Length
53 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–45.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The blue sea chub is a sea chub or drummer (Kyphosidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an oval, grey-blue, silvery body with a small head and mouth. It forms schools over hard, algae-coated bottoms of exposed, surf-swept outer reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs. As a plant-eating fish it grazes mainly on filamentous algae and other seaweed. It is a local food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ashen drummer?

The Ashen drummer has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Ashen drummer live?

The Ashen drummer lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Ashen drummer get?

The Ashen drummer grows to a maximum of about 53 cm. On average the species is around 45 cm.

Is the Ashen drummer dangerous to humans?

The Ashen drummer is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

Is the Ashen drummer edible?

Yes, the Ashen drummer is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwe zeekarper sourced
English name
Ashen drummer verified
Scientific name
Kyphosus cinerascens
Family
Kyphosidae
Other names
Ashen drummer; Blue sea chub; Blue seachub verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
53.0 verified
Average length (cm)
45.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
45.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Kyphosus

More from the family Kyphosidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →