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La Plata croaker (Pachyurus bonariensis) — Sciaenidae

La Plata croaker

Pachyurus bonariensis
Family: Sciaenidae

The La Plata croaker (Pachyurus bonariensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The La Plata croaker is a croaker (Sciaenidae) from fresh water of the La Plata basin in South America. The species grows to about 25 cm and has an elongate, silvery body. As a bottom-oriented predator it searches sand and mud bottoms for shrimp, worms and small fish; it drums with the swim bladder. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the La Plata croaker?

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

Where does the La Plata croaker live?

The La Plata croaker lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay

How big does the La Plata croaker get?

The La Plata croaker grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the La Plata croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the La Plata 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 La Plata croaker edible?

Yes, the La Plata croaker is commonly eaten.

More photos

La Plata croaker (Pachyurus bonariensis) — Sciaenidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Pablo H Capovilla, some rights reserved (CC BY))
La Plata croaker (Pachyurus bonariensis) — Sciaenidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Matías Zarucki, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
La Plata croaker (Pachyurus bonariensis) — Sciaenidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Lucas Kaminski, some rights reserved (CC BY))
La Plata croaker (Pachyurus bonariensis) — Sciaenidae — 5
iNaturalist (no rights reserved)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
La Plata croaker sourced
Scientific name
Pachyurus bonariensis
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
La Plata croaker verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay 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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