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Silver croaker (Pennahia argentata) — Sciaenidae

Silver croaker

Pennahia argentata
Family: Sciaenidae

The Silver croaker (Pennahia argentata) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–140.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South)
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The silver croaker is a croaker (Sciaenidae) from coastal waters of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 40 cm and has an elongate, bright-silvery body with a fairly large mouth. As a bottom-oriented predator it searches sand and mud bottoms for shrimp, worms and small fish; it drums with the swim bladder. It is an important food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Silver croaker?

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

Where does the Silver croaker live?

The Silver croaker lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South)

How big does the Silver croaker get?

The Silver croaker grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Silver croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Silver 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 Silver croaker edible?

Yes, the Silver croaker is commonly eaten.

More photos

Silver croaker (Pennahia argentata) — Sciaenidae — 2
taiwan_habu (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Silver croaker (Pennahia argentata) — Sciaenidae — 3
orcinusss (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Silver croaker (Pennahia argentata) — Sciaenidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) zgy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Silver croaker (Pennahia argentata) — Sciaenidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) shudaonan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Silver croaker sourced
Scientific name
Pennahia argentata
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Croaker; Silver croaker; White croaker; Silver jewfish; Silver sea meagre; White chinese croaker verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
140.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South) 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 Pennahia

More from the family Sciaenidae

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