Lonchurus lanceolatus (Bloch 1788)

Body often brownish to yellowish, slightly darker above. All fins darkish, pectoral fins long and jet black. Base of pelvic and anal fins yellowish. Inside of gill cover dusky. Mouth large, but inferior, nearly horizontal. Chin with a pair of moderately long, slender barbels (longer than eye diameter). Pectoral fins very long, upper rays filamentous, extending to caudal peduncle. Pelvic fins with first soft ray filamentous, extending beyond anus. Gas bladder reduced in size, much shorter than head length; bearing anteriorly 1 pair of appendages, the first short and horn-like, the second long, tube-like, and directed backward (Ref 51721).

Dorsal spines (total): 10 - 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 37 - 39; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 7 - 9

Found usually over sandy to muddy bottoms in coastal marine and brackish waters. Important food fish.

fisheries: minor commercial; bait: usually; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family

The longtail croaker (Lonchurus llanceolatus) is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the croakers and drums. This species is found in the western Atlantic Ocean.