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Boeseman croaker (Boesemania microlepis) — Sciaenidae

Boeseman croaker

Boesemania microlepis
Family: Sciaenidae

The Boeseman croaker (Boesemania microlepis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Highly prized

Description

The Boeseman croaker is a large croaker (Sciaenidae) from fresh and brackish water of the large rivers of Southeast Asia, including the Mekong and Chao Phraya. The species grows to about 1 metre and has an elongate, silvery body with a tall dorsal fin. As a bottom-oriented predator it lives in deep river channels and hunts fish and shrimp; males make loud drumming sounds with the swim bladder in the breeding season. It is an important food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Boeseman croaker?

The Boeseman croaker has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Boeseman croaker live?

The Boeseman croaker lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Boeseman croaker get?

The Boeseman croaker grows to a maximum of about 100 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Boeseman croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Boeseman croaker is harmless to humans.

Is the Boeseman croaker edible?

Yes, the Boeseman croaker is a highly prized food fish.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Boeseman-ombervis sourced
English name
Boeseman croaker sourced
Scientific name
Boesemania microlepis
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Boeseman croaker; Croaker; Smallscale croaker verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized 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

More from the family Sciaenidae

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