Home · Sciaenidae · Pacora croaker
Pacora croaker (Plagioscion surinamensis) — Sciaenidae

Pacora croaker

Plagioscion surinamensis
Family: Sciaenidae

The Pacora croaker (Plagioscion surinamensis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 70 cm.

Length
70 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
1.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Pacora croaker is a freshwater croaker (Sciaenidae) from large rivers, lakes and floodplains of northern South America. The species grows to about 40 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with an inferior mouth; with its swim bladder it makes drumming sounds. As a bottom-oriented predator it searches over sand and mud for small fish, shrimp and crustaceans. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pacora croaker?

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

Where does the Pacora croaker live?

The Pacora croaker lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Pacora croaker get?

The Pacora croaker grows to a maximum of about 70 cm.

Is the Pacora croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Pacora croaker is harmless to humans.

Is the Pacora croaker edible?

Yes, the Pacora croaker is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Suriname-zoetwaterombervis sourced
English name
Pacora croaker sourced
Scientific name
Plagioscion surinamensis
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Pacora verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
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 Plagioscion

More from the family Sciaenidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →