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Bighead pennah croaker (Pennahia macrocephalus) — Sciaenidae

Bighead pennah croaker

Pennahia macrocephalus
Family: Sciaenidae

The Bighead pennah croaker (Pennahia macrocephalus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
27.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Highly prized

Description

The bighead pennah croaker is a croaker (Sciaenidae) from turbid coastal and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a large head and inferior mouth; with its swim bladder it makes drumming sounds. As a bottom-oriented fish it searches over sand and mud for worms, crustaceans and small fish. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bighead pennah croaker?

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

Where does the Bighead pennah croaker live?

The Bighead pennah croaker lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bighead pennah croaker get?

The Bighead pennah croaker grows to a maximum of about 28 cm. On average the species is around 18 cm.

Is the Bighead pennah croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Bighead pennah croaker is harmless to humans.

Is the Bighead pennah croaker edible?

Yes, the Bighead pennah croaker is a highly prized food fish.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Grootkop-ombervis sourced
English name
Bighead pennah croaker sourced
Scientific name
Pennahia macrocephalus
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Big-head pennah croaker; Croaker; Jewfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
27.8 verified
Average length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
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

Same genus Pennahia

More from the family Sciaenidae

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