Bobo croaker
📖 Overview
Found in coastal waters over mud bottom , very close to the shore . Also enters estuaries and coastal lagoons , where reproduction takes place . Moves farther offshore to about 100 m for spawning during rainy season from December to February; feeds on (juvenile) fish, shrimps and other crustaceans .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 29 - 35; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 6 - 7. Diagnosis: medium-sized fish, fusiform/elongate and laterally compressed . Head and snout short . Eyes rather large , 3.6-4.6 times in HL, but this character is difficult to use for identification because of allometry . Mouth large and oblique , subterminal . Maxilla extending beyond posterior eye border . Teeth villiform, set in narrow bands in both jaws; 5 marginal pores on snout and 6 mental pores . Gill rakers long and slender , longer than gill filaments at angle of first gill arch , 11-16/1/5-8 (total 19-25) on 1st gill arch . Lower part of 1st gill arch with 0-5 reduced additional gill rakers, upper part with 0-3 reduced additional ones; preopercular edge denticulate, with a few strong spines in the corner . Dorsal fin long, deeply notched , with 10 spines in 1st part and 1 spine and 29-35 soft rays in 2nd part . 2nd anal fin spine very strong, about as long as 1st soft ray and comprised less than twice in head length . Pectoral fins long, 23.6-29.6% SL . Caudal fin more or less pointed or rhomboidal . Scales ctenoid on body, cycloid on breast and head; lateral line extending to hind margin of caudal fin; swim bladder carrot-shaped, its front end with a pair of appendages subdividing into a group of short anterior branches and a bundle of 5-6 slender tubes extending backwards over half the length of swim bladder . Coloration: general colour silver-grey with a reddish sheen , back olivaceous brown with series of dark dots, belly light, yellowish during reproduction period . Dorsal and caudal fins greyish . Spinous part of dorsal fin dark, soft part lighter, with 2-3 longitudinal series of dark dots; pelvics and anal fin yellowish .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Bobo croaker is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; depth range 0 - 100 m , usually 50 - 100 m . Tropical; 17°N - 6°S, 17°W - 14°E west coast of Africa, from Senegal to at least southern Angola (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
(juvenile) fish, shrimps (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
"Bobo croaker 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 | 19.4 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 265 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Bobo croaker 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 (lean white fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corvina clavigera | Cuvier | 1830 | Synonym |
| Corvina dux | Bowdich | 1825 | Heterotypic |
| Corvina nigrita | Cuvier | 1830 | Synonym |
| Johnius elongatus | Bowdich | 1825 | Heterotypic |
| Johnius guineensis | Osório | 1909 | Synonym |
| Johnius nigrita | Cuvier | 1830 | Synonym |
| Larimus elongatus | Bowdich | 1825 | Synonym |
| Otolithus guineensis | Osório | 1909 | Synonym |
| Pseudotolithes elongatus | Bowdich | 1825 | Synonym |
| Sciaena elongata | Bowdich | 1825 | Synonym |
| Sciaena nigrita | Cuvier | 1830 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 743 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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