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Scalyfin corvina (Cynoscion squamipinnis) — Sciaenidae

Scalyfin corvina

Cynoscion squamipinnis
Family: Sciaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Scalyfin corvina (Cynoscion squamipinnis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 64 cm.

Length
64 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
1.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; coastal waters and estuaries.
Edibility
Highly prized

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Description

The weakfish is a croaker (Sciaenidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species has an elongate, silvery body with a bronze sheen and a large, obliquely set mouth. Like other croakers it can make drumming sounds with its swim bladder. Adults live in coastal waters, along beaches and in estuaries. As a predator it hunts fishes, shrimps and other crustaceans. It is a valued food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Scalyfin corvina?

The Scalyfin corvina has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Drums with the swim bladder; valued predator of coastal waters and estuaries.

Where does the Scalyfin corvina live?

The Scalyfin corvina lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Eastern Pacific; coastal waters and estuaries.

How big does the Scalyfin corvina get?

The Scalyfin corvina grows to a maximum of about 64 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.

Is the Scalyfin corvina dangerous to humans?

No, the Scalyfin corvina is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Scalyfin corvina edible?

Yes, the Scalyfin corvina is a highly prized food fish.

More photos

Scalyfin corvina (Cynoscion squamipinnis) — Sciaenidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Daniel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Scalyfin corvina (Cynoscion squamipinnis) — Sciaenidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Daniel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Scalyfin corvina verified
Scientific name
Cynoscion squamipinnis
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Scalyfin weakfish; Weakfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
64.0 verified
Average length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; coastal waters and estuaries. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes, shrimps and other crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Large 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; valued predator of coastal waters and estuaries. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized 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 Cynoscion

More from the family Sciaenidae

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