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Amazon weakfish (Macrodon mordax) — Sciaenidae

Amazon weakfish

Macrodon mordax
Family: Sciaenidae

The Amazon weakfish (Macrodon mordax) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 50 cm.

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

Description

The Amazon weakfish is a croaker (Sciaenidae) from turbid coastal and estuarine water of the western Atlantic off South America. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a large mouth and a pair of conspicuous canine teeth, and a swim bladder with which it makes a drumming sound. As a fast predator it hunts small fish and shrimp over sand and in the water column. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Amazon weakfish?

The Amazon weakfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Amazon weakfish live?

The Amazon weakfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Amazon weakfish get?

The Amazon weakfish grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Amazon weakfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Amazon weakfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Amazon weakfish edible?

Yes, the Amazon weakfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bijterige ombervis sourced
English name
Amazon weakfish sourced
Scientific name
Macrodon mordax
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Dogteeth weakfish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 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 Macrodon

More from the family Sciaenidae

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