Gulf kingcroaker (Menticirrhus littoralis) fish species and information / pictures of Gulf kingcroaker - Menticirrhus littoralis

Gulf kingcroaker (Menticirrhus littoralis) fish species information

Scientific Name
Menticirrhus littoralis

Common Name
Gulf kingcroaker

Biology
Occurs usually in coastal waters over sandy and muddy bottoms; juveniles are abundant in the surf zone. Sometimes enters estuaries. Feeds mainly on worms and crustaceans. Excellent food fish (Ref. 26938).

Classification

Classified By
Holbrook, 1847
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Drums or croakers (Sciaenidae)

Distribution

Region
Western Atlantic
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Virginia, USA and the continental coast of the Gulf of Mexico to Rio Grande del Sur, Brazil.
Range
38°N - 33°S

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
10 m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Marine; brackish; demersal; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 10 - ? m
Trophic Level
3.92 s.e. 0.69 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
48.3 cm
Common Length
30.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5020 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes
Vulnerability
Low to moderate vulnerability (33 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming tm
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated