Teleostei (teleosts) >
Eupercaria/misc (Various families in series Eupercaria) >
Sciaenidae (Drums or croakers)
Etymology: Ophioscion: Greek, ophis = serpent + Greek, skion, skiaina = barbel, red mullet (Ref. 45335).
More on authors: Jordan & Gilbert.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 10 - 60 m (Ref. 91172). Tropical; 15°N - 2°N
Eastern Pacific: Guatemala to northern Ecuador.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 25.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9118); common length : 18.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 55763); max. published weight: 161.94 g (Ref. 124487)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Body somewhat elongate, moderately compressed, with an arched dorsal profile; snout prominent; mouth small and inferior; lower jaw enclosed by upper; edge of preopercle serrate, with 8 to 10 strong spines at the angle; anal rays 8; lower branch of first gill with 13 to 15 gill rakers; body silvery, back darker; flanks without apparent stripes; fins charcoal gray; upper part of branchial cavity black spotted (Ref. 55763).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal; Cross section: other (see Diagnosi.
Found in shallow water but not common in estuaries with low salinities (Ref. 9118). Feeds on benthic invertebrates (Ref. 9118).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Chao, L.N., 1995. Sciaenidae. Corvinas, barbiches, bombaches, corvinatas, corvinetas, corvinillas, lambes, pescadillas, roncachos, verrugatos. p. 1427-1518. In W. Fischer, F. Krupp, W. Schneider, C. Sommer, K.E. Carpenter and V. Niem (eds.) Guia FAO para identificacion de especies para los fines de la pesca. Pacifico Centro-oriental. 3 volumes. 1813 p. (Ref. 9118)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: bycatch
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