California kingcroaker (Menticirrhus undulatus)

Scientific name: Menticirrhus undulatus Girard, 1854

California kingcroaker (Menticirrhus undulatus)

The California kingcroaker (Menticirrhus undulatus) is a marine fish of the family Sciaenidae. Native range: Eastern Pacific, California, USA to Peru.

Biology

Occur along sandy shores and in bays, usually in sandy surfs of exposed outer coast. Usually found in small groups; larger fish are more solitary. Feed on sand crabs, other small crustaceans, and worms. Spawning begins in July. Pelagic spawners. Cannot produce croaking sounds due to lack of air bladder. Considered a good food fish and is common in markets.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Menticirrhus undulatus
Family
Sciaenidae (Drums or croakers)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
71.0
Depth range
14 m (46 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 14 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Eastern Pacific: California, USA to Peru.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Data deficient (DD)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=2.5; tmax=8)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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