Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Perciformes (Perch-likes) >
Sciaenidae (Drums or croakers)
Etymology: Micropogonias: Greek, mikros = small + greek, pogon = beard (Ref. 45335).
Issue
The species Micropogonias opercularis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) is considered as valid in Eschmeyer (CofF ver. Jul. 2010: Ref. 84883) according to López et al. (2002: Ref. 80900).
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Marine; brackish; demersal; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range ? - 60 m (Ref. 9626), usually 20 - 40 m (Ref. 9626). Subtropical, preferred 22°C (Ref. 107945); 27°N - 36°S, 84°W - 34°W (Ref. 54591)
Western Atlantic: Greater Antilles and from Costa Rica to Argentina (Ref. 9626). Also reported in Nicaragua (Ref. 13613).
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 30.6 range ? - ? cm
Max length : 60.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 27363); common length : 45.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 27363); max. reported age: 7 years (Ref. 27)
Dorsal
spines
(total): 11;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 26-30;
Anal
spines: 2;
Anal
soft rays: 7 - 9. Body silvery with a golden cast, back greyish, with distinct oblique dark streaks along scale rows extending to much below lateral line; spinous dorsal without small dark dots (Ref. 27363).
Found over muddy and sandy bottoms in coastal waters and in estuaries where the nursery and feeding grounds are located. Adults form schools. Feeding habits vary with ontogenic development and season; juveniles feed on benthic migratory crustaceans and sessile boring mollusks while adults are benthos-feeders and occasionally capture fish (Ref. 27). Undergoes seasonal migration. An important food fish which is usually marketed fresh and salted.
Isaac, V.J., 1988. Synopsis of biological data on the whitemouth croaker, Micropogonias furnieri (Desmarest, 1823). FAO Fish. Synop. (150). (Ref. 27)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: highly commercial
More information
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