Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) is a saltwater, brackish species recorded in the United States. It is mainly found over sand, mud, estuary.
Scientific name: Micropogonias undulatus · Water: Saltwater, Brackish
Size: up to 69 cm
Weight: up to 3.9 kg
The Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) is a sciaenid closely related to the black drum, silver perch and spot, and is the loudest of the drum family: it makes its croaking sound by vibrating strong muscles against its swim bladder. It is native to coastal waters of the western Atlantic from Massachusetts to Mexico, including the northern half of the Caribbean Sea, and is usually found in bays and estuaries over sandy or muddy bottoms where it feeds on polychaete worms, crustaceans and small fish. It visits Chesapeake Bay from March through October and is found throughout the bay as far north as the Susquehanna Flats, and it is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN because of its wide range and large population. In the United States it is a mainstay of mid-Atlantic and Gulf shore and boat anglers — locally called hardhead, croaker or golden croaker — taken on small hooks with shrimp, squid or bloodworm baits fished on the bottom; full-grown fish at 2–3 years reach 46–51 cm and 1.8–2.3 kg, with the Chesapeake Bay record at 27 inches and 8 pounds 11 ounces.
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