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Angola croaker (Miracorvina angolensis) — Sciaenidae

Angola croaker

Miracorvina angolensis
Family: Sciaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Angola croaker (Miracorvina angolensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 128 cm.

Length
128 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
50.0–300.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Highly prized

Description

The Angola croaker is a large croaker of the family Sciaenidae (drums) reaching about 1.3 metres. The elongate, silvery-grey body has a terminal mouth with strong teeth. Like other drums it can make a drumming sound with muscles against its swim bladder, which plays a role in reproduction. The species forms schools over sand and mud bottoms of the deeper continental shelf along the West African coast. As a predator it hunts, mainly at night, for fish, shrimps and other crustaceans. With its tasty flesh the Angola croaker is a valued commercial fish landed by the West African bottom fishery.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Angola croaker?

The Angola croaker has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Angola croaker live?

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

How big does the Angola croaker get?

The Angola croaker grows to a maximum of about 128 cm. On average the species is around 60 cm.

Is the Angola croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Angola croaker is harmless to humans.

Is the Angola croaker edible?

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

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Angola-ombervis inferred
English name
Angola croaker verified
Scientific name
Miracorvina angolensis
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Angola croaker verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
128.0 verified
Average length (cm)
60.0 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)
50.0 verified
Max depth (m)
300.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Schooling verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized verified
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met een aasvis of garnaal boven zachte bodems; een gewaardeerde vangst sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Sciaenidae

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