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🌊 Marine Vulnerable 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Subtropical

Mild meagre

Argyrosomus inodorus Griffiths & Heemstra, 1995
Max Length
145 cm
Max Weight
36.3 kg
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.8
Depth
1–100 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
68.00/100
Typical Length
115 cm
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

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 .

Scientific Name
Argyrosomus inodorus
Authority
Griffiths & Heemstra, 1995
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
IUCN Status
VU
Max Length
145 cm
Max Weight
36.3 kg
Depth Range
1–100 m
Trophic Level
3.8
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
68.00/100
Migration
Oceanodromous
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25 - 29; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8; Vertebrae: 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.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Mild meagre is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Mild meagre is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Size at Maturity
34.4cm TL

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; brackish; benthopelagic; oceanodromous ; depth range 1 - 100 m . Subtropical; 17°S - 38°S, 11°E - 29°E Southeast Atlantic: Namibia southwards around the Cape of Good Hope and northwards at least as far as the Kei River in South Africa.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌿 Brackish
Migration
Oceanodromous
Trophic Level
3.8±0.56

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00832 × L3.06 (TL)
Max TL
145cm
Max Weight
36,300g
Dorsal Spines
11
Dorsal Rays
27
Anal Spines
2
Anal Rays
8
Vertebrae
25

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Vulnerable
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
68.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.8
Predator
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Griffiths & Heemstra, 1995

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Argyrosomus Inodorus is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 19.3 g
Omega-3 (total) 299 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Mild meagre has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

👥 Community & Contribute

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