Plagioscion squamosissimus (Heckel, 1840)
South American silver croaker
Plagioscion squamosissimus
photo by Casatti, L.

Family:  Sciaenidae (Drums or croakers)
Max. size:  80 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 4,500.0 g
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater, potamodromous
Distribution:  South America: Amazon, Orinoco, Paraná, Paraguay, and São Francisco River basins and rivers fo Guianas.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 30-34; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 5-6. Vertebral column extends into caudal fin. Black spot near the base of the pectorals. Dorsal posterior margin of operculum slightly toothed.
Biology:  Occupies very diverse biotopes and carries out its biological cycle in freshwater as well as in brackish water (Ref. 27188). Juveniles feed on larvae of crustaceans (especially Macrobrachium), aquatic insects and copepods. Adults prey on fish. Captured during the rainy season (Ref. 35237).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 30 July 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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