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Cachema weakfish (Cynoscion phoxocephalus) — Sciaenidae

Cachema weakfish

Cynoscion phoxocephalus
Family: Sciaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cachema weakfish (Cynoscion phoxocephalus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The cachema weakfish is a drum of the family Sciaenidae from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 60 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with a pointed head and a large mouth with a few canine teeth. Adults inhabit coastal waters and estuaries with high salinities. As a fast predator it feeds on fishes, shrimps and other crustaceans. Like other drums it can make drumming sounds with its swim bladder. The cachema weakfish is an important commercial and sport fish with tasty flesh. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cachema weakfish?

The Cachema weakfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Cachema weakfish live?

The Cachema weakfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Cachema weakfish get?

The Cachema weakfish grows to a maximum of about 60 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Cachema weakfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Cachema weakfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Cachema weakfish edible?

Yes, the Cachema weakfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Spitskop-ombervis sourced
English name
Cachema weakfish verified
Scientific name
Cynoscion phoxocephalus
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Sharpnose corvina; Yellow corvina verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Cynoscion

More from the family Sciaenidae

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