Boesemania
Boesemania is a genus of freshwater fish in the family Sciaenidae. This genus contains the single species Boesemania microlepis.[2] Also known as the boeseman croaker and smallscale croaker, this fish lives in southeast Asian rivers.[1]
Boesemania microlepis | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Phylum: | |
Class: | |
Order: | |
Family: | |
Genus: | Boesemania Trewavas, 1977 |
Species: | B. microlepis |
Binomial name | |
Boesemania microlepis | |
Synonyms | |
|
Description
This is a relatively large species. It can reach 1 m (3.3 ft) in length and 18 kg (40 lb) in weight.[3]
Distribution
Boesemania microlepis lives in Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia (Borneo and Sumatra), Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand.[1] It is found in several rivers such as the Mekong, Chao Phraya River, Mae Klong, Nan River, Tha Chin River, and Bang Pakong River.[1]
Habitat and behaviour
This species appears to be sedentary. It prefers large, flowing rivers.[1][3] During the peak of the dry season, it spawns in deepwater pools. During this time, common to other croakers, it can be heard to make loud, continuous, croaking sounds.[3]
Diet
Boesemania microlepis eats mostly small fishes and crustaceans such as shrimps.[1][3]
Threats
Desired as food, and expensive in southern Laos and northeast Cambodia, this species has become increasingly threatened due to overfishing.[4] Despite this, it remains common in much of its range.[1]
References
- I. Baird (2011). "Boesemania microlepis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T181232A7664209. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T181232A7664209.en.
- Nicolas Bailly (2008). Bailly N (ed.). "Boesemania". FishBase. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
- "Boesemania microlepis, Boeseman croaker : fisheries". Fishbase.org. 2012-07-03. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
- "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-05-21. Retrieved 2014-05-21.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)