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Aplodinotus grunniens

(Freshwater Dogfish)

Overview

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L-shaped otoliths are collected as 'lucky stones'[1].

Interesting Facts

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Common Names

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Click on the language to view common names.

Common Names in Danish:

Flodtrommefisk

Common Names in English:

Freshwater Dogfish, freshwater drum, Sheephead, Sheepshead

Common Names in French:

malachigan

Common Names in German:

Süßwasser-Trommelfisch

Common Names in Mandarin Chinese:

淡水石首魚, 淡水石首鱼

Common Names in Russian:

барабанщик речной

Common Names in Spanish:

Roncador Curruco, Roncador de agau dulce, roncador de agua dulce

Common Names in Swedish:

Flodtrumfisk

Description

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Physical Description

Species Aplodinotus grunniens

Body: Mouth and snout: Terminal and horizontal mouth, located ventrally on the head , with small teeth on the jaws . No barbels . Body patterning, color, and scales : Solid color of silver, light gray, or light olive with a cream or white belly. Pelvic fins whitish, remaining fins lightly pigmented to dusky . 48-53 ctenoid lateral scales. Body shape and size: Body laterally compressed and deep; oval in cross section . Typically 350-500 mm (14-20 in) TL ; maximum about 950 mm (38 in).

Fins: Tail, dorsal and other fins: Rounded or square tail (but see Juveniles ). Dorsal fin with 2 distinct lobes , slightly attached by a membrane the first with 8-9 spines and the second with 1 spine and 24-32 rays. Pelvic fins thoracic ; first ray elongated into filament . Adipose fin absent. Anal fin with 2 spines and 7 rays.

Distinguishing characteristics: The freshwater drum can be distinguished by its rounded/square/triangular tail, its steep head profile, and its pelvic fins with the first ray elongated into a filament. See also similar species information.

Breeding adults : Similar to non-breeders.

Juveniles: Similar to adults, but tail more triangular (pointed ) in shape.

Size/Age/Growth

Males are commonly 45 cm (Total Length) in length when caught/marketed, but may be as large as 95 cm (Total Length).

Habitat

Occurs in bottoms of medium to large rivers and lakes .

Biome: Marine .

Biology

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Diet

Feeds on mollusks, benthic crustaceans, and insects.

Known to produce sound .

Taxonomy

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Synonyms

Aplidonotus grunniens Rafinesque • Corvina richardsoni Cuvier • Corvina richardsonii Cuvier • Sciaena grisea Lesueur • Sciaena oscula Lesueur

Notes

Name Status: Accepted Name .

First described: Rafinesque, C.S . J. Phys. Chim. Hist. Nat. Arts 89: 96., 1819.

Last scrutiny: Data last modified by FishBase 07-Jul-2000

Similar Species

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Fish Name Tail Shape Head Profile Pelvic Fins Similarity Index Freshwater Drum Rounded/square/triangular Steep 1st ray elongated into a filament N/A White Perch Forked Rounded No filament Moderately similar

Members of the genus Aplodinotus

ZipcodeZoo has pages for 1 species and subspecies in this genus:

A. grunniens (Freshwater Dogfish)

More Info

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Further Reading

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Notes

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Contributors

Data Sources

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal March 01, 2008:

Identifiers

Footnotes

  1. Wheeler, A. (1977). Das grosse Buch der Fische. Eugen Ulmer GmbH & Co. Stuttgart. 356 p. [back]
Last Revised: 7/14/2012