Northern kingfish (Menticirrhus saxatilis) fish species and information / pictures of Northern kingfish - Menticirrhus saxatilis

Northern kingfish (Menticirrhus saxatilis) fish species information

Scientific Name
Menticirrhus saxatilis

Common Name
Northern kingfish

Biology
Occurs usually in shallow coastal waters over sand to sandy mud bottoms. Common in the surf zone and in estuaries. Juveniles may enter tidal rivers and creeks of low salinity. Feeds mainly on worms and crustaceans. An excellent food fish.

Classification

Classified By
Bloch & Schneider, 1801
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Drums or croakers (Sciaenidae)

Distribution

Region
Western Atlantic
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Massachusetts to southern Florida in USA and Gulf of Mexico to Yucatan in Mexico.
Range
43°N - 11°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; depth range 10 - ? m
Trophic Level
3.58 s.e. 0.53 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
46.0 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 (26 of 100)
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.5)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated