Boesemania

Boesemania microlepis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Sciaenidae
Genus: Boesemania
Trewavas, 1977
Species: B. microlepis
Binomial name
Boesemania microlepis
(Bleeker, 1858) [2]
Synonyms
  • Johnius microlepis Bleeker, 1858
  • Otolithoides aeneocorpus Fowler, 1935
  • Pseudosciaena microlepis (Bleeker, 1858)

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]

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

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 I. Baird (2011). "Boesemania microlepis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  2. 1 2 Nicolas Bailly (2008). Nicolas Bailly, eds. "Boesemania". FishBase. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Boesemania microlepis, Boeseman croaker : fisheries". Fishbase.org. 2012-07-03. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  4. ↑ http://www.aseanbiodiversity.info/Abstract/53001028.pdf
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