Giant African threadfin
📖 Overview
Occurs in shallow coastal waters, over sandy and muddy bottoms, sometimes in brackish habitats . Enters estuaries , occasionally caught in fresh water . Very large specimens are only found in marine waters . Feeds on crustaceans and fishes . Flesh fairly tasteful .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11 - 12. Diagnosis: pectoral fin with 4 threadlike filaments . Pectoral fin inserted very low on body, generally somewhat longer than upper part of fin . : fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Giant African threadfin is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; depth range 15 - 55 m . Tropical; 22°N - 5°S, 26°W - 13°E
🌿 Ecology
crustaceans and fishes (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
"Giant African threadfin 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 | 20.1 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 213 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Giant African threadfin 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
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | giant African threadfin |
| 🌍CES | smuhovec obří |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Firstrålet trådfinnefisk |
| 🇩🇪German | Fingerfisch |
| 🇫🇷French | capitaine · gros capitaine |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Grote kapiteinvis |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Barbudo-golias · barbudo · barbudo-gigante · capitão · peixe-barba |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Испанский пальцепёр |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Barbudo Goliat · Boca Dulce Goliat Africana · barbudo gigante africano |
| 🌍WOL | njaane · njaane jaara |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polynemus quadrifilis | Cuvier | 1829 | Synonym |
| Trichidion quadrifilis | Cuiver | 1829 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 716 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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