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Yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) — Sciaenidae

Yellow croaker

Larimichthys polyactis
Family: Sciaenidae

The Yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–120.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Korea (South)
Edibility
Highly prized

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Description

The yellow croaker is a croaker (Sciaenidae) from coastal and estuarine water of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 40 cm and has an elongate body with a golden-yellow belly and flanks. As a bottom-oriented predator it lives in schools over sand and mud bottoms and hunts small fish, shrimp and worms; males drum with the swim bladder. It is a very important food fish that has declined strongly through overfishing. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellow croaker?

The Yellow croaker has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Yellow croaker live?

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

How big does the Yellow croaker get?

The Yellow croaker grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Yellow croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellow 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 Yellow croaker edible?

Yes, the Yellow croaker is a highly prized food fish.

More photos

Yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) — Sciaenidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) orcinusss, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) — Sciaenidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) JIN Pin-Tsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) — Sciaenidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) TonyT, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) — Sciaenidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — 思源如宁 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Yellow croaker sourced
Scientific name
Larimichthys polyactis
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Croaker; Little yellow croaker; Redlip croaker; Yellow belly croaker; Yellow croaker; Yellowfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
120.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Korea (South) sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
23.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized 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 Larimichthys

More from the family Sciaenidae

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