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Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) — Sciaenidae

Meagre

Argyrosomus regius
Family: Sciaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 230 cm.

Length
230 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
15–300 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea; coastal waters and continental shelf.
Edibility
Highly prized

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Description

The meagre is a large croaker (Sciaenidae) from the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The species has an elongate, silvery body with a bronze sheen and can produce loud drumming sounds with its swim bladder. It lives both inshore and over the continental shelf and in the mid and surface layers, near the bottom. As a predator it hunts fishes and crustaceans. It is a highly valued food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Meagre?

The Meagre has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Large croaker that drums loudly with its swim bladder; valued predator and food fish.

Where does the Meagre live?

The Meagre lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea; coastal waters and continental shelf.

How big does the Meagre get?

The Meagre grows to a maximum of about 230 cm. On average the species is around 150 cm.

Is the Meagre dangerous to humans?

No, the Meagre is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Meagre edible?

Yes, the Meagre is a highly prized food fish.

More photos

Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) — Sciaenidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Mario Lepage (Public domain)
Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) — Sciaenidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Karim Haddad, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) — Sciaenidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) jm_brenes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

Easily confused with

These species look like the Meagre and live in the same waters.

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All data

Identification

English name
Meagre verified
Scientific name
Argyrosomus regius
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Jewfish; Meagre; Salmon bass; Shadefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
230 verified
Average length (cm)
150 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Straight
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
15 verified
Max depth (m)
300 verified
Natural range
Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea; coastal waters and continental shelf.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Large croaker that drums loudly with its swim bladder; valued predator and food fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Argyrosomus

More from the family Sciaenidae

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