Tenpounder
📖 Overview
Occurs in coastal waters, but enters lagoons and estuaries [actual freshwater records remain to be confirmed]. Benthopelagic . Young and adults feed on small fishes and crustaceans . Probably spawn at sea, but the transparent larvae migrate to inshore areas and are often found in brackish water . Are voracious carnivores that take fish, squid and shrimp bait . Edible, but not tasty and full of bones . A total length of 126 cm for this species has been reported from Knysna, South Africa (G. Bernardt, pers. comm., e-mail: [email protected]) .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20 - 27; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14 - 18. : elongated; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Tenpounder is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous. Tropical; 38°N - 37°S, 22°E - 153°W West Pacific: Mossel Bay in South Africa, to the Red Sea and India, possibly to western Pacific (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
small fishes and crustaceans (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Tenpounder is an edible species."
- 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
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Tenpounder is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Tenpounder has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina machnata | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Elops capensis | Smith, 1838-47 | - | Synonym |
| Elops indicus | Swainson | 1839 | Synonym |
| Elops purpurascens | Richardson | 1846 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 7 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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