| Family: |
Sciaenidae (Drums or croakers) |
| Max. size: |
181 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 75 kg |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; brackish; marine, oceanodromous |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: African southeast coast from Cape of Good Hope to southern Mozambique; northern Indian Ocean off Pakistan and northwest coast of India; northern Pacific from southern Korea and Japan, along the Chinese coast to Hong Kong; in Australia along the entire southern seaboard from North West Cape (north of Shark Bay) in Western Australia to the Burnett River (north of Brisbane) in Queensland. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 10-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-30; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 7-7; Vertebrae: 25-25. In life, silvery grey becoming darker above and lighter below. Dorsal surface with a bluish bronze sheen that may become coppery on head. Preserved specimens vary in color according to treatment; usually grey but sometimes brown; darker above and lighter below (Ref 11025). |
| Biology: |
Adult fish found mainly near shore beyond the surf zone, occasionally going inshore. Juveniles exclusively found inshore. Juveniles recruit to estuaries at about 30 cm TL. An important food fish (Ref. 11025). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 26 September 2018 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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