Guinea croaker
📖 Overview
Occurs in coastal waters from the shore to about 70 m over mud bottom, but moves to deeper water. Also found in estuaries and coastal lagoons . Mainly feeds on benthic invertebrates .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 35 - 39; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 7. Diagnosis: moderately sized species with an elongate and laterally compressed body; dorsal with 9 (10?) spines in 1st part, second part with 1 spine and 35-39 soft fin rays; second anal spine clearly shorter than first anal fin soft ray, i.e. about half its length, and robust; pectoral fins long, 23.3-27.3% SL; caudal fin S-shaped; mouth inferior almost horizontal; maxilla extending to posterior half of eye; 7-9/1/4-7 (total 13-18) gill rakers on 1st gill arch; lower part of 1st gill arch with 2-6 reduced additional gill rakers, upper part with 0-2 reduced additional ones; gill rakers moderately long and fine, but shorter than the gill filament at angle between lower and upper part of gill arch; preopercular edge feebly denticulated but never with spines; eyes rather small, 4.6-5.4 times in HL, but this character is difficult to use for identification because of allometry . Coloration: generally very dark, but occasionally pale silver often with faint dark brown oblique lines on sides; ventral side of head and belly yellowish; all fins greyish to very dark brown, black .: elongated; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Guinea croaker is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Guinea croaker is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Guinea croaker is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; depth range 0 - 160 m . Tropical; 12°N - 17°S
🌿 Ecology
benthic invertebrates (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Guinea 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 | 18.7 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 156 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Guinea croaker has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Guinea Croaker |
| 🌍CES | smuha guinejská |
| 🇫🇷French | Otolithe Giuneèn |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Corvina · Corvina-da-Guine · Rainha · Rainha-guineense |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Чернохвостый капитанский горбыль |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Corvina de Guinea |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corvina nigripinnis | Günther | 1874 | Synonym |
| Johnius epipercus | Bleeker | 1863 | Synonym |
| Pseudotolithes epipercus | Bleeker | 1863 | Synonym |
| Rhinoscion epipercus | Bleeker | 1863 | Synonym |
| Sciaena epipercus | Bleeker | 1863 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 664 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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