Argyrosomus Coronus
Family
Sciaenidae (Drums or croakers)
Order
Perciformes (perch-likes)
Class
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Maximum Size
200 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. published weight: 77.0 kg
Environment
Benthopelagic; brackish; marine ; depth range - 100 m
Climate
Tropical
Importance
fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes
Resiliance
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K and tmax)
Distribution
Southeast Atlantic: Angola and Namibia.
Diagnosis
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26-30; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 7-7; Vertebrae: 25-25. Swim bladder carrot-shaped with 28-38 arborescent appendages. Drumming muscles present in both sexes; urinary bladders large; sagitta typically Argyrosomus; pectoral fin axillary fold without scales; peritoneum unpigmented; anterior part of lateral line slightly curved.
Biology
Occurs in estuaries, the surf zone and further offshore. In Namibia, it is caught mainly in depths of 20-40 m. Becomes more abundant in Argyrosomus catches going northwards, indicating its preference for warmer waters. Fish up to 13,000 g were found to be immature.
