Brassy chub
📖 Overview
Aggregate over hard, algal coated bottoms of exposed surf-swept outer reef flats, lagoons, and seaward reefs to a depth of at least 24 m. Found in exposed areas around rocky reefs ; adults usually close to the shore and the coastline, while juveniles are associated with flotsam and can be encountered in the open ocean close to the surface . Also found in mangrove areas . Benthopelagic . Usually in groups . Young (up to 5 cm) found among floating seaweed; feeding on small crustaceans . Adults are carnivorous during summer and autumn but feed on Endarachne binghamiae during winter . Good food fish . Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 30573.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10 - 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 15; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 12 - 14; Vertebrae: 26. This species is distinguished by the following characters: elongate and oval-shaped body; scale rows horizontally along the body appear alternately golden and bluish; metallic blue dorsally and white ventrally; caudal fin moderately emarginated; very low dorsal and anal fins; D X-XI,13-15; A III, 12-14; pectoral fin 17-20: teeth incisor-shaped; scales on interorbital region; external side of first gill arch with high number of gill rakers on lower limb 16-23, upper limb 5-10; total lateral line scale rows 63-80, 52-63 has pores; longitudinal scale rows 56-70; vertebrae: precaudal 10, caudal 16; pterygiophores, anal 13-14, dorsal 22-24. Colour of body silvery with a bluish shine, with golden horizontal lines along the body (around 23-29), dorsal lines above lateral line curved along the lateral line;; golden streak beneath eye from snout to behind anterior edge of eye; fins are grey or slightly darker grey than body colour .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Brassy chub is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; oceanodromous ; depth range 0 - 40 m . Tropical; 35°N - 38°S, 25°E - 133°W Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and the eastern and western Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
🌿 Ecology
Endarachne binghamiae during winter (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
"Brassy chub 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
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.2 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 77 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Brassy chub 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cantharus lineolatus | Valenciennes | 1830 | Synonym |
| Khyphosus vaigiensis | Quoy & Gaimard | 1825 | Synonym |
| Kyphosus bleekeri | Fowler | 1933 | Synonym |
| Kyphosus gibsoni | Ogilby | 1912 | Synonym |
| Kyphosus lembus | Cuvier | 1831 | Synonym |
| Kyphosus vaigensis | Quoy & Gaimard | 1825 | Synonym |
| Pimelepterus flavolineatus | Poey | 1866 | Synonym |
| Pimelepterus lembus | Cuvier | 1831 | Synonym |
| Pimelepterus marciac | Cuvier | 1831 | Synonym |
| Pimelepterus ternatensis | Bleeker | 1853 | Synonym |
| Pimelepterus vaigiensis | Quoy & Gaimard | 1825 | Synonym |
| Pimelepterus waigiensis | Quoy & Gaimard | 1825 | Synonym |
| Segutilum gibsoni | Ogilby | 1912 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 12 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Brassy chub ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.