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Common yellowtail croaker (Umbrina xanti) — Sciaenidae

Common yellowtail croaker

Umbrina xanti
Family: Sciaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Common yellowtail croaker (Umbrina xanti) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–35.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The polla drum is a croaker of the drum family (Sciaenidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 40 cm and has an elongate, silvery-grey body with a small barbel on the chin, characteristic of many drums. It lives over sandy bottoms in coastal waters; juveniles also stay in littoral pools. The fish feeds on fishes, crustaceans and bivalves it locates on the bottom. Like other drums it can make drumming sounds with its swim bladder. The polla drum is regularly eaten and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Common yellowtail croaker?

The Common yellowtail croaker has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Common yellowtail croaker live?

The Common yellowtail croaker lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Common yellowtail croaker get?

The Common yellowtail croaker grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 22 cm.

Is the Common yellowtail croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Common yellowtail croaker is harmless to humans.

Is the Common yellowtail croaker edible?

Yes, the Common yellowtail croaker is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Panamaberg-ombervis sourced
English name
Common yellowtail croaker verified
Scientific name
Umbrina xanti
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Common yellowtail croaker; Polla drum; Surf croaker verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Average length (cm)
22.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
35.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Umbrina

More from the family Sciaenidae

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