Home · Sciaenidae · Point-nosed croaker
Point-nosed croaker (Ophioscion typicus) — Sciaenidae

Point-nosed croaker

Ophioscion typicus
Family: Sciaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Point-nosed croaker (Ophioscion typicus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; shallow coastal waters and estuaries.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Point-nosed croaker?

Get the app

Description

The Pacific croaker is a croaker (Sciaenidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species has an elongate, silvery body with a blunt snout and an inferior mouth. Like other croakers it can make drumming sounds with its swim bladder. It lives near the bottom in shallow coastal waters and estuaries. As a bottom hunter it feeds mainly on shrimps and other bottom invertebrates. It is a local food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Point-nosed croaker?

The Point-nosed croaker has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Drums with the swim bladder; bottom-dwelling croaker of shallow coastal waters and estuaries.

Where does the Point-nosed croaker live?

The Point-nosed croaker lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific; shallow coastal waters and estuaries.

How big does the Point-nosed croaker get?

The Point-nosed croaker grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Point-nosed croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Point-nosed croaker is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Point-nosed croaker edible?

Yes, the Point-nosed croaker is commonly eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Point-nosed croaker?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Point-nosed croaker is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Point-nosed croaker verified
Scientific name
Ophioscion typicus
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Racer croaker verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; shallow coastal waters and estuaries. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Mainly shrimps and other benthic invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Drums with the swim bladder; bottom-dwelling croaker of shallow coastal waters and estuaries. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced
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 Ophioscion

More from the family Sciaenidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Point-nosed croaker?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Point-nosed croaker is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Point-nosed croaker? Get the app