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Silver stardrum (Stellifer illecebrosus) — Sciaenidae

Silver stardrum

Stellifer illecebrosus
Family: Sciaenidae

The Silver stardrum (Stellifer illecebrosus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The silver stardrum is a croaker (Sciaenidae) from shallow coastal and estuarine water of the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a stocky, silvery body with a large, cavernous head 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 small crustaceans, worms and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Silver stardrum?

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

Where does the Silver stardrum live?

The Silver stardrum lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and others

How big does the Silver stardrum get?

The Silver stardrum grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Silver stardrum dangerous to humans?

No, the Silver stardrum 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 stardrum edible?

Yes, the Silver stardrum is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Silver stardrum sourced
Scientific name
Stellifer illecebrosus
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Silver stardrum verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and others 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 Stellifer

More from the family Sciaenidae

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