Ctenosciaena gracilicirrhus (Metzelaar, 1919)
Barbel drum
photo by Ramjohn, D.D.

Family:  Sciaenidae (Drums or croakers)
Max. size:  21 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 77.2 g
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 10 - 130 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Nicaragua along the Caribbean coast and Atlantic coasts of South America to southern Brazil.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-24; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 7-8. Body silvery, grey on back and white on belly. Inside of opercle lining black, appearing as a dark triangular blotch externally. Base of pectoral fin and axil with a dark spot. Upper half of spinous dorsal fin dusky. Other fins pale. Mouth moderately large, slightly inferior. Tip of chin with a pointed flexible barbel. Gas bladder carrot-shaped, without appendages. Sagitta (large earstone) thick and ovoid, lapillus (small earstone) rudimentary (Ref 51721).
Biology:  Inhabits coastal waters, usually over sandy mud bottoms (Ref. 3702). Feeds mainly on shrimps (Ref. 3702). Important food fish.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 October 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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