Silver grunt (Pomadasys argenteus)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Eupercaria incertae sedis · Family: Haemulidae · Genus: Pomadasys.

Accepted name: Pomadasys argenteus · Authority: (Forsskål, 1775) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 218570.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Coius gudgutia Hamilton, 1822; Lutjanus hasta Bloch, 1790; Lutjanus microstomus Lacepède, 1802; Polotus nitidus Blyth, 1858; Pomadasys hasta (Bloch, 1790); Pomodasys argenteus (Forsskål, 1775); Pomodasys hasta (Bloch, 1790); Pristipoma argenteum (Forsskål, 1775); Pristipoma chrysobalion Cuvier, 1830; Pristipoma hasta (Bloch, 1790); Pristipoma manadense Günther, 1872; Pristipoma nageb Rüppell, 1838; Sciaena argentea Forsskål, 1775.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218570 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Pomadasys argenteus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 70 cm · Common length: 25 cm · Depth range: 15–115 m · Habitat zone: demersal · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 30.6 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Found in coastal waters (Ref. 30573, 48635). Enters freshwaters (4867). Marketed fresh, may be salted (Ref. 5284).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 399) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Pomadasys-argenteus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

686 georeferenced occurrence records for Pomadasys argenteus are published through GBIF from 31 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 124 distinct locations from a sample of 686 records, omitting 85 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Chinese Taipei (206); Australia (187); Philippines (50); South Africa (29); Papua New Guinea (28); Pakistan (25); Indonesia (23); Japan (19); India (18); Malaysia (18); Thailand (16); China (11); Madagascar (10); Eritrea (7); Saudi Arabia (6).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Mozambican Exclusive Economic Zone; Madagascar; Kenyan Exclusive Economic Zone; Somali Exclusive Economic Zone; Red Sea; Djiboutian Exclusive Economic Zone.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2382883) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2382883&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218570 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Pomadasys argenteus (Forsskål, 1775) as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 172404) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/172404/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2382883) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2382883/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Pomadasys argenteus is a silvery-mauve to pale brown fish fading to silvery-white towards the abdomen, there is occasionally a scattering of dark greyish spots on the back and upper flanks. The snout is dark brown snout, the upper operculum is dark greyish to purplish on its upper part. The pelvic and anal fins are yellow while the dorsal fin has rows of small spots along it. The juveniles have many spots which create a pattern of dark lines along the flanks. It has a blunt snout and a small mouth with brush like bands of teeth on the jaws. The dorsal fin has 12 spines and 13-14 soft rays, while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 7 soft rays. This species attains a maximum total length of 70 cm, although 25 cm is more typical.

Pomadasys argenteus has a wide distribution in the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. It occurs from the southern Red Sea, off Saudi Arabia and Yemen east to Vanuatu, north to southern Japan and south to Australia. It is absent from the Persian Gulf. In Australia they are found from the Exmouth Gulf in Western Australia across the northern part of the continent to the Richmond River in New South Wales.

Pomadasys argenteus occurs in shallow inshore waters, in the vicinity reefs and in estuaries, mangroves too. It has been recorded entering fresh waters in Madagascar and Malaysia. The spawning season runs from the middle of May to early October, females spawn approximately six times in each season. This fish is predatory, preying on benthic invertebrates such as crustaceans, bivalves and polychaetes.

Pomadasys argenteus was first formally described as Sciaena argentea in 1775 by the Swedish speaking Finnish explorer and naturalist Peter Forsskål (1732-1763), his description was published posthumously by his companion, the German Carsten Niebuhr (1733-1815). The type locality was given as Jeddah. When Bernard Germain de Lacėpède (1756-1825) described the genus Pomadasys in 1802 he used Forsskål's Sciaena argentea as its type species, the genus being considered monotypic. The specific name argenteus means "silver" and refers to the main colour of this species.

Pomadasys argenteus is caught using hook and line, set nets, traps and spears. The catch is mostly sold fresh or salted. 537 to 1,239 tons per year are landed in Malaysia.

Source: Wikipedia: Pomadasys argenteus — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomadasys_argenteus (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

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