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Cluck (Pareques acuminatus) — Sciaenidae

Cluck

Pareques acuminatus
Family: Sciaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cluck (Pareques acuminatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
23 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The high-hat is a small drum of the family Sciaenidae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 23 cm and has a white body with conspicuous dark longitudinal stripes and a tall, erect first dorsal fin, especially in juveniles. It inhabits clear waters around tropical islands and coral reefs, sheltering by day under ledges and eroded edges of seagrass beds. At night it forages on small benthic invertebrates. Like other drums it can make sounds with its swim bladder. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cluck?

The Cluck has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Cluck live?

The Cluck lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Cluck get?

The Cluck grows to a maximum of about 23 cm. On average the species is around 18 cm.

Is the Cluck dangerous to humans?

No, the Cluck is harmless to humans.

Is the Cluck edible?

The Cluck is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Hoge-hoed-ombervis sourced
English name
Cluck verified
Scientific name
Pareques acuminatus
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Cubbyu; Donkey fish; Drum verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.0 verified
Average length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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 Pareques

More from the family Sciaenidae

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