Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Sciaenidae
- Genus
- Pseudotolithus
- Species
- senegalensis
Habitat
This species inhabits coastal waters, estuaries, and continental shelves in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from Mauritania to Angola, typically over sandy or muddy bottoms at depths up to 50 meters. It prefers warmer tropical waters and can tolerate brackish conditions in river mouths.
Diet
The Cassava croaker primarily feeds on smaller fish, crustaceans such as shrimp and crabs, and mollusks like bivalves. It is a nocturnal predator that hunts in schools, using its sensitive swim bladder to detect prey vibrations in low-light conditions.
Behavior
Cassava croakers are schooling fish that form large groups for protection and feeding, often migrating inshore during spawning seasons. They are primarily nocturnal, remaining inactive during the day and becoming active at dusk to hunt. This species exhibits territorial behavior around feeding grounds but is generally adaptable to varying water conditions.
Fishing
Target Cassava croakers, a valued sport fish in West African waters, using effective bottom fishing techniques with medium-heavy tackle, such as a 7-9 foot rod paired with a reel spooled with 20-30 lb test line and a strong circle hook to minimize injury during catch-and-release. Use live bait like shrimp, crabs, or small fish, or opt for jigs and soft plastic lures that imitate their prey to entice strikes in low-light conditions. The best season aligns with the rainy months from June to September when they migrate inshore for spawning, with optimal fishing times at dusk and night when they are most active as nocturnal predators. Focus on coastal waters, estuaries, and continental shelves over sandy or muddy bottoms in depths up to 50 meters, from Mauritania to Angola, where schools form for feeding and protection—always scout areas with echosounders for better success. The IGFA all-tackle world record stands at 31 pounds 4 ounces, showcasing their impressive size potential. As an endangered species per IUCN listings, anglers play a crucial role in conservation by strictly following catch-and-release practices and local regulations, which are effective management tools that help maintain healthy populations through angler-funded programs supporting habitat restoration and anti-overfishing efforts in the region.
Conservation Status
Listed as Endangered by IUCN.