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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
Edibility
Highly prized

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.

Where does the Longneck croaker live?

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

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.

Is the Longneck croaker edible?

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

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Langnek-ombervis inferred
English name
Longneck croaker verified
Scientific name
Pseudotolithus typus
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Croaker; Flathead captainfish; Longneck croaker; Longneck ladyfish 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
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 of werpen met een aasvis of garnaal boven zandbodems en bij estuaria; een gewaardeerde sportvis sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

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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