Atlantic
CroakerFamily Sciaenidae, DRUMS
Micropogonias undulatus
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Description: inferior mouth; 3 to 5 pairs of small
barbels on chin; silver-gray or bronze body with
dark oblique wavy bars or lines; iridescent
especially on head; preopercle strongly serrated.
Similar Fish:
spot, Leiostomus xanthurus (has no chin barbels and
has a dark blotch on shoulder).
Where found: generally found north of Tampa Bay on
the west coast and north of Cape Canaveral on the
east coast; young fish found in estuaries; older
fish (2 to 3 years) inhabit deep OFFSHORE waters
during the winter months and move into bays and
estuaries during the spring, summer and fall.
Size: usually less than 2 pounds.
*Florida Record: n/a
Remarks: during spawning becomes bronze or yellow in
color; spawning apparently occurs OFFSHORE in fall;
longevity 2 to 4 years. |
