What is a croaker?

Atlantic Croaker, Undulatus micropogonia is a medium -sized fish that is common in the tidal waters of the East Coast of the United States and Mexican Gulf, with large populations located near the Mississippi Gulf and the whole Chesapeake Gulf. He is a member of the Sciaenidae family of fish, also known as the family of the drum, and is closely related to the spot, red drum and weak fish. And can be identified by a dramatic notch of the dorsal fin and irregular green stripes placed on the back. Fully adult Croakers are usually 18 to 24 inches (about 45.7 to 60.9 cm) and have a bright, silver abdomen. This fish also begins to turn slightly pink as soon as it is out of the water for a short time. Croaker produces its croak using a set of adapted muscles that vibrate its swimming bladder. While all family members Sciaenidae are able to create some form of crooked or drum sound, the Croak of Atlantic Croaker is by far the loudest. As male iFemale, they are able to create this sound. Adult men Croakers use their croak to attract women and all Croakers produce a similar step when they face danger.

Croakers spend most of their lives near the bottom of water and most often occur in sandy areas. Young Croakers feed on plankton and other small vegetation. Once the fish achieves maturity, its primary food sources include molluscs, worms and small fish. Croakers are often a popular source of Chum or bait for fishermen looking for sports fish such as blueefish, sharks and striped bass.

Generally, Croakers emerge from September to November, depuding at a regional temperature of migration at sea and returning to the usual habitat after winter. The young Croaker takes two years to reach maturity, and spends most of the time living closer to the inland in the mouth that has fresher water. Once the fish has reached maturity, it prefers the coastal inODY with lower salt concentration than open ocean. The average life of Croaker is about seven years.