Pseudotolithus senegalensis
Pseudotolithus senegalensis is a large fish found on the coast of West Africa. It can grow up to a maximum length of 114 cm with a common length of about 50 cm for adults. It is known as cassava croaker or croaker in some parts of West Africa.[1][2]
| Pseudotolithus senegalensis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Acanthuriformes |
| Family: | Sciaenidae |
| Genus: | Pseudotolithus |
| Species: | P. senegalensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Pseudotolithus senegalensis (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1833) | |
The main diet are prawns and epibenthic crustaceans. [1]
Local names
| Language/region | Name |
|---|---|
| Ijaw | Gbu/n |
| Yoruba/Ilaje | Apo |
| Nigerian English | Croaker |
| Ga/Fante | Ekan |
| Abidjan | L'ombrine |
| Lebou | Nguku |
| Wolof | Law |
| Temne | Laydy |
Description
Pseudotolithus senegalensis is congeneric to P. typhus, it has a greyish brown color above that becomes paler beneath. Head has lateral eyes, a lower jaw that projects slightly above the upper jaw and large a mouth. It has 11 spines in its dorsal fin and 2 spines in the anal fin.[1][2] Allometric growth from larva to adult especially with the head and some fins.
Distribution
Pseudotolithus senegalensis is found in the Eastern Atlantic along the West African coast. It occurs over muddy waters in open shelf. Its northern boundary reaches Morocco and southern boundary is along the Angolan coast. [1][2] Prefers temperature water to be warmer that 16°C.[1]
References
- Longhurst, Alan R (1969). Synopsis of biological data on West African croakers, Pseudotolithus typus, P. senegalensis and P. elongatus,. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. OCLC 281607.
- "Pseudotolithus senegalensis, Cassava croaker : fisheries, gamefish". www.fishbase.de. Retrieved 2020-07-09.