Argyrosomus regius

Argyrosomus regius, also known as the meagre or croaker, is a species of drum that belongs in the genus Argyrosomus. It is found in the Atlantic Ocean and also the Mediterranean and Black Sea.

 Etymology 
The specific name regius means "royal".

 Classification 
Argyrosomus regius was described in 1801 as Perca regia by Ignacio Jordán Claudio de Asso y del Río. Later though, the species name was changed and is now a synonym.

 Synonyms 

 Sciaena aquila Cuvier, 1817
 Perca regia Asso, 1801
 Argyrosomus regium Asso, 1801
 Sciaena regius Asso, 1801
 Cheilodipterus aquila Lacepède, 1803
 Sciaena aquila Lacepède, 1803
 Perca vanloo Risso, 1810
 Argyrosomus procerus De la Pylaie, 1835
 Johnius hololepidotus Lacepède, 1801

 Description 
The meagre is a relatively large fish with tiny eyes. It has a body that looks like that of a cod, but with a smaller dorsal fin and a slightly longer body. It can reach up to 2.3 m (7.5 ft) in length and 103 kg (227 lb) in weight. You can easily see the lateral line.

 Ecology 

 Life history 
Breeding takes place from May to July. The juveniles leave the estuary and move to coastal waters where they spend the winter months. They go back to the estuary when it is spring from the middle of May. The females produce about 800,000 eggs. When the water temperature is 17–22 °C (63–72 °F), spawning will happen.

 What they eat 
The juveniles eat small demersal fish and crustaceans. When they've grown to 30–40 cm, they will start feeding on pelagic fish and cephalopods.

 Human uses 

 Fisheries 
Argyrosomus regius is fished using trawls. The main fisheries are in Mauritania, Morocco, and Egypt.

 Aquaculture 
The aquaculture of this fish is experimental. There are a few facilities in southern France.

 Image gallery 

 Related pages 

 Sciaenidae
 Rhamphoichthys
 Pachycormiformes
 Rougheye rockfish

 References 

 "Argyrosomus regius". British Marine Life Study Society. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
 Pollard, D.A.; Bizsel, K. (2020). "Argyrosomus regius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Category:Ray-finned fish
Category:Atlantic Ocean
Category:Animals of Europe