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Croaker (Umbrina roncador) — Sciaenidae

Croaker

Umbrina roncador
Family: Sciaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Croaker (Umbrina roncador) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 56 cm.

Length
56 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The yellowfin croaker is a drum (Sciaenidae) from the eastern Pacific off California and Mexico. The species grows to about 56 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with fine, oblique stripes and yellowish fins, and a short barbel on the chin. Like other drums it can make drumming sounds with its swim bladder. It lives in shallow sandy areas, often in the surf zone, bays and tidal sloughs, where it feeds on fishes, crustaceans, marine worms and bivalves. It is a pelagic spawner and a popular surf fish for anglers. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Croaker?

The Croaker has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Croaker live?

The Croaker lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Croaker get?

The Croaker grows to a maximum of about 56 cm.

Is the Croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Croaker is harmless to humans.

Is the Croaker edible?

Yes, the Croaker is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geelvin-ombervis sourced
English name
Croaker verified
Scientific name
Umbrina roncador
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Yellowfin croaker; Yellowfin drum verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
56.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Wordt door brandingvissers met hengel en aas vanaf het strand bevist. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Umbrina

More from the family Sciaenidae

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