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Longneck croaker (Pseudotolithus typus) — Sciaenidae

Longneck croaker

Pseudotolithus typus
Family: Sciaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Longneck croaker (Pseudotolithus typus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 140 cm.

Length
140 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–150.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Atlantic along the coast of West Africa, over sandy and silty bottoms of coastal water and estuaries.
Edibility
Highly prized

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Description

The longneck croaker is a large croaker of the family Sciaenidae (drums) reaching about 1.4 metres. The elongate, silvery body has a yellowish tinge and a terminal mouth. Like other drums it can make a drumming sound with muscles against its swim bladder. The species forms schools over sand and mud bottoms of coastal water and estuaries along the West African coast. As a predator it hunts fish, shrimps, crabs and other crustaceans. It is an important commercial fish for the region and a valued sport fish; unlike the related cassava croaker it is assessed by the IUCN as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longneck croaker?

The Longneck croaker has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Large, silvery croaker with a yellowish tinge; produces a drumming sound with its swim bladder and lives over soft bottoms in coastal waters.

Where does the Longneck croaker live?

The Longneck croaker lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Atlantic along the coast of West Africa, over sandy and silty bottoms of coastal water and estuaries.

How big does the Longneck croaker get?

The Longneck croaker grows to a maximum of about 140 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.

Is the Longneck croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Longneck croaker is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Longneck croaker edible?

Yes, the Longneck croaker is a highly prized food fish.

More photos

Longneck croaker (Pseudotolithus typus) — Sciaenidae — 2
Naturalis Biodiversity Center (CC0 1.0) via GBIF
Longneck croaker (Pseudotolithus typus) — Sciaenidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Evidelia Dogirama, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longneck croaker (Pseudotolithus typus) — Sciaenidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Christopher Caine, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longneck croaker (Pseudotolithus typus) — Sciaenidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Ivichdarella Kemayou, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Longneck croaker verified
Scientific name
Pseudotolithus typus
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Croaker; Flathead captainfish; Longneck croaker; Longneck ladyfish; Bar; Cassava croaker verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
140.0 verified
Average length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom verified
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
150.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Atlantic along the coast of West Africa, over sandy and silty bottoms of coastal water and estuaries. verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Diet (detail)
Fishes, shrimps, crabs and other crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified
Seasonality
Forms shoals over soft bottoms of coastal water and estuaries; eggs and larvae drift in open water. sourced
Special features
Large, silvery croaker with a yellowish tinge; produces a drumming sound with its swim bladder and lives over soft bottoms in coastal waters. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized verified
Fishing method
Bottom fishing or casting with a baitfish or shrimp over sandy bottoms and near estuaries; a prized sport fish sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pseudotolithus

More from the family Sciaenidae

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