Geelbeck croaker (Atractoscion aequidens)

Scientific name: Atractoscion aequidens Cuvier, 1830

The Geelbeck croaker (Atractoscion aequidens) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sciaenidae.

Biology

Found in coastal waters, over sand muddy bottom. Juveniles enter estuaries. Adults feed on pelagic fishes at night. Often caught with Umbrina canariensis. Feeds on pelagic fish such as mackerel and horse mackerel. Marketed fresh, flesh highly esteemed.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Atractoscion aequidens
Family: Sciaenidae (Drums or croakers)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 130
Common length: 90.0
Depth range: 15–200 m (49–656 ft)
Environment: Marine; brackish; benthopelagic; depth range 15 - 200 m, usually 100 - 200 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Eastern Atlantic: Angola to South Africa; single record known from Mauritania. Western Indian Ocean: off Mozambique and South Africa. Pacific Ocean: Eastern coast of Australia.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.27; tm=5)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026