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Scaly croaker (Nibea squamosa) — Sciaenidae

Scaly croaker

Nibea squamosa
Family: Sciaenidae

The Scaly croaker (Nibea squamosa) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 65 cm.

Length
65 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Scaly croaker is a croaker (Sciaenidae) from coastal and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, silver-grey body with an inferior mouth and stout ear-stones; like other croakers it makes a drumming sound with its swim bladder. As a bottom-oriented fish it searches over sand and mud bottoms for worms, small crustaceans and molluscs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Scaly croaker?

The Scaly croaker has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Scaly croaker live?

The Scaly croaker lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea

How big does the Scaly croaker get?

The Scaly croaker grows to a maximum of about 65 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.

Is the Scaly croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Scaly croaker 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 Scaly croaker edible?

Yes, the Scaly croaker is commonly eaten.

More photos

Scaly croaker (Nibea squamosa) — Sciaenidae — 2
J. Go, University of Sydney (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Scaly croaker sourced
Scientific name
Nibea squamosa
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Scaly croaker; Scaly jewfish; Scale croaker verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
65.0 verified
Average length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
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

Same genus Nibea

More from the family Sciaenidae

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