Ophioscion Explained

Ophioscion is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. These fishes are found in the Western Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans.

Taxonomy

Ophioscion was first proposed as a monospecific genus in 1863 by the American biologist Theodore Gill when he described Ophioscion typicus from the Pacific coast of Panama. Although FishBase recognises Ophioscion as a valid genus, Catalog of Fishes treats it as a synonym of Stellifer.

Species

Ophioscion has the following valid species:

• Ophioscion adustus (Agassiz, 1831) (Croaker)
• Ophioscion costaricensis Caldwell, 1958
• Ophioscion imiceps (Jordan & Gilbert, 1882) (Blinkard croaker)
• Ophioscion panamensis Schultz, 1945
• Ophioscion punctatissimus Meek & Hildebrand, 1925 (Spotted croaker)
• Ophioscion scierus (Jordan & Gilbert, 1884) (Point-Tuza croaker)
• Ophioscion simulus Gilbert, 1898 (Snub-nosed croaker)
• Ophioscion strabo Gilbert, 1897 (Squint-eyed croaker)
• Ophioscion typicus Gill, 1863 (Point-nosed croaker)
• Ophioscion vermicularis (Günther, 1867) (Vermiculated croaker)