Home · Sciaenidae · Croaker
Croaker (Genyonemus lineatus) — Sciaenidae

Croaker

Genyonemus lineatus
Family: Sciaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Croaker (Genyonemus lineatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 41 cm.

Length
41 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–183.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The white croaker is a drum (Sciaenidae) from the eastern Pacific, from British Columbia to Baja California. The species reaches about 41 cm and has an oblong, silvery body with fine dark lines and a small, inferior mouth. It lives over sandy bottoms of coastal waters to about 180 m deep. The diet consists of polychaete worms, small shrimps, crabs and molluscs. Like many drums it can produce grunting or croaking sounds with its swim bladder. Reproduction is by multiple batches of pelagic eggs. The species is regularly caught as a coastal fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Croaker?

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

Where does the Croaker live?

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

How big does the Croaker get?

The Croaker grows to a maximum of about 41 cm. On average the species is around 22 cm.

Is the Croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Croaker is harmless to humans.

Is the Croaker edible?

The Croaker is rarely eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Witte ombervis sourced
English name
Croaker verified
Scientific name
Genyonemus lineatus
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
King croaker; Kingfish; King-fish; Roncador; Tomcod verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
41.0 verified
Average length (cm)
22.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
183.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
15.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Sciaenidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →