Courbine Soldat

Snout rounded, but not swollen or projecting; upper jaw length 38-44 % of head length, lower jaw length 44-53 % of head length. First pair of mental pores close together, united by a crescent-shaped groove just behind symphysis. Teeth differentiated into large and small in both jaws. Second anal spine long, stiff, 39-59 % of head length. From 8 to 13 scale rows above lateral line to origin of dorsal fin, 12-17 scale rows below lateral line to origin of anal fin (total 21-29 scale rows). Swim bladder carrot-shaped, with 18-22 pairs of arborescent appendages along its sides, the first pair entering head beyond transverse septum. Sagitta (large earstone) with a tadpole-shaped impression, the tail of which is J-shaped.

Amphidromous. Refers to fishes that regularly migrate between freshwater and the sea (in both directions), but not for the purpose of breeding, as in anadromous and catadromous species. Sub-division of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.Characteristic elements in amphidromy are: reproduction in fresh water, passage to sea by newly hatched larvae, a period of feeding and growing at sea usually a few months long, return to fresh water of well-grown juveniles, a further period of feeding and growing in fresh water, followed by reproduction there (Ref. 82692).

Dorsal spines (total): 10 - 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27 - 33; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 7

Inhabit shallow coastal waters and estuaries (Ref. 9772). Juveniles occur in brackish estuaries and often ascend the lower reaches of large, turbid rivers (Ref. 2847). Juveniles and/or adults are found in subtidal edge of mud flats and near inshore waters (Ref. 121464). Feed on small fishes and invertebrates.

Inhabits shallow coastal waters and estuaries (Ref. 9772). Juveniles occur in brackish estuaries and often ascend the lower reaches of large, turbid rivers (Ref. 2847). Found in the basin-wide mainstream of the lower Mekong (Ref. 36667). Encountered in medium to large-sized rivers both in the lower and middle Mekong (Ref. 12975). Feeds on small fishes and invertebrates. Marketed fresh as well as dried salted.

fisheries: commercial

Nibea soldado, commonly known as the soldier croaker, is a species of fish native to the northern Indian and western Pacific Oceans, and found in estuaries of south and southeast Asia, Indochina and northern Australia.