saltwater, benthic, bony fish
Atlantic Croaker
Micropogonias undulatus
Silvery body with a pinkish glow, featuring distinct brassy-copper spots that form irregular wavy lines or 'brindles' along the sides and back. It has a slightly compressed, elongated body, a subterminal mouth with small barbels on the chin, and a deeply notched dorsal fin.…
- Habitat
- Found in Atlantic coastal waters from Massachusetts to t…
- Size & weight
- Commonly 10-14 inches (25-35 cm) and 0.5-2 lbs.…
- Diet
- Generalist bottom feeder. Diet includes worms, small cru…
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Physical characteristics
Silvery body with a pinkish glow, featuring distinct brassy-copper spots that form irregular wavy lines or 'brindles' along the sides and back. It has a slightly compressed, elongated body, a subterminal mouth with small barbels on the chin, and a deeply notched dorsal fin. The tail is slightly convex or 'double-pointed' in juveniles.
Habitat & distribution
Found in Atlantic coastal waters from Massachusetts to the Gulf of Mexico. They prefer estuarine and nearshore environments with muddy or sandy bottoms, often moving into bays and lagoons.
Behavior
Highly social and often travel in large schools. They are known for the 'croaking' sound they produce by vibrating their swim bladder with specialized muscles. Activity is generally diurnal but they are active year-round.
Diet
Generalist bottom feeder. Diet includes worms, small crustaceans (shrimp and crabs), mollusks, and occasionally small fish or detritus, using their barbels to locate prey in the sediment.
Reproduction
Broadcast spawners that migrate from estuaries to offshore waters to spawn during the fall and winter. Larvae then drift back into the nursery grounds of the estuaries to grow.
Ecological role
A significant bottom-feeder that transfers energy from benthic invertebrates to higher predators like striped bass, sharks, and larger drums. They serve as a vital link in the coastal food web.
Similar species
Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) which has a prominent black spot behind the gill cover and a forked tail; Silver Perch (Bairdiella chrysoura) which lacks the chin barbels and wavy lines.
Identification tips
Look for the 3 to 5 pairs of tiny barbels on the chin ('whiskers') and the wavy, brassy lines along the upper body. The tail is not forked but has a slight point or rounded shape.
Interesting facts
The croaking sound produced by this fish is so loud it can sometimes be heard through the hull of a boat or by people standing on a pier. They are one of the most abundant fish species in the Atlantic estuaries.