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Branched bahaba (Bahaba polykladiskos) — Sciaenidae

Branched bahaba

Bahaba polykladiskos
Family: Sciaenidae

The Branched bahaba (Bahaba polykladiskos) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The branched bahaba is a large croaker (Sciaenidae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about a metre and has an elongate, silver-grey body with a large mouth and stout ear-stones; like other croakers it makes a drumming sound with its swim bladder. As a predator it hunts fish and crustaceans over sand and mud bottoms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Branched bahaba?

The Branched bahaba has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Branched bahaba live?

The Branched bahaba lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Branched bahaba get?

The Branched bahaba grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Branched bahaba dangerous to humans?

No, the Branched bahaba is harmless to humans.

Is the Branched bahaba edible?

Yes, the Branched bahaba is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vertakte ombervis sourced
English name
Branched bahaba sourced
Scientific name
Bahaba polykladiskos
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Spine bahaba verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Bahaba

More from the family Sciaenidae

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