| Family: |
Sciaenidae (Drums or croakers) |
| Max. size: |
145 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 36 kg |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 100 m, oceanodromous |
| Distribution: |
Southeast Atlantic: Namibia southwards around the Cape of Good Hope and northwards at least as far as the Kei River in South Africa. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-29; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 7-8; Vertebrae: 25-25. Swim bladder carrot-shaped with 31-42 arborescent appendages, the latero-anterior limb of appendages present throughout length of bladder; drumming muscles present only in males; urinary bladders rudimentary; sagitta elongate with pronounced bulge in posterior third of ventral margin; pectoral fin axillary fold naked; peritoneum unpigmented; anterior part of lateral line slightly curved. |
| Biology: |
Between the Kei River and Cape Agulhas, this species rarely enters estuaries or the surf zone, but becomes more abundant in the surf zone on the west coast of South Africa. Restricted to a depth of 1-20 m in Namibia, apparently due to anoxic conditions beyond this depth. Highly regarded as a table fish. Marketed mostly fresh, but sometimes frozen (Ref. 11025). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 09 November 2018 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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