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Queenfish (Seriphus politus) — Sciaenidae

Queenfish

Seriphus politus
Family: Sciaenidae

The Queenfish (Seriphus politus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–21.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Canada, Mexico, USA
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The queenfish is a croaker (Sciaenidae) from coastal waters of the northeast Pacific, off California. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a slender, laterally compressed, silvery body with a yellowish tinge and a fairly large mouth. As a schooling fish it swims in bays and over sand bottoms and hunts small zooplankton, shrimp and small fish. Like many croakers it makes sound with its swim bladder. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Queenfish?

The Queenfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Queenfish live?

The Queenfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Canada, Mexico, USA

How big does the Queenfish get?

The Queenfish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Queenfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Queenfish 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 Queenfish edible?

Yes, the Queenfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Queenfish (Seriphus politus) — Sciaenidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Zach Fratello, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Queenfish (Seriphus politus) — Sciaenidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Jacob, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Queenfish (Seriphus politus) — Sciaenidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Zack Abbey (CC BY 4.0)
Queenfish (Seriphus politus) — Sciaenidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) jasonrl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Queenfish sourced
Scientific name
Seriphus politus
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Queenfish; Queen croaker; Drum verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
21.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Canada, Mexico, USA sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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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