Northern kingfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northern kingfish |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
The northern kingfish, also called the northern kingcroaker, is a type of ocean fish. Its scientific name is Menticirrhus saxatilis. It belongs to the Sciaenidae family, which are often called "drum" or "croaker" fish. This fish lives in the shallow coastal waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
Contents
What Does the Northern Kingfish Look Like?
The northern kingfish can grow up to about 46 centimeters (18 inches) long. However, most adults are usually around 30 centimeters (12 inches). It has a slim body, being widest near its pectoral fins (the ones behind its gills).
Like many fish that feed on the bottom, its upper jaw sticks out more than its lower jaw. Its snout hangs over its mouth. It has a small, fleshy barbel (a whisker-like growth) on its lower lip.
The dorsal fin, which is on its back, is split into two parts. The front part is short and tall, shaped like a triangle, with 10 spines. The third spine is the longest and has a short thread-like extension. The back part of the dorsal fin is long and gently tapers. It has one spine and 24 to 27 soft rays.
Its pointed pectoral fins are quite large. The anal fin, on its underside, has 1 spine and 8 soft rays. The tailfin is special: its upper part is slightly curved inward, and its lower part is rounded.
The fish is dark gray with a shiny, metallic look, and it's paler gray underneath. It has several dark diagonal stripes on its upper body. Most of these stripes slant towards the tail, but one or two near the head slant the other way. Its fins are dark with white tips. Unlike most fish in its family, the northern kingfish does not have an air bladder. This means it cannot make the "croaking" sound that other drum and croaker fish are known for.
Where Do Northern Kingfish Live?
The northern kingfish is a fish that lives in warm, shallow waters. It stays close to the seabed, which is why it's called a demersal fish. You can find it in the western Atlantic Ocean. Its home range stretches from Massachusetts down through the Gulf of Mexico to the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico.
These fish often gather in groups or schools. They prefer areas where the ocean floor is sandy or muddy. You can find them in the surf zone (where waves break) and in estuaries (where rivers meet the sea). They can handle water that isn't very salty. Young northern kingfish are often found in tidal rivers and small creeks.
Sometimes, they are seen further north in Maine. In these colder northern areas, they are migratory. They disappear from October to May, likely moving to warmer waters.
What Do Northern Kingfish Eat?
The northern kingfish eats small creatures that live on the seabed. These are called benthic invertebrates. Their main diet includes small crustaceans like shrimps and small crabs. They also eat tiny amphipods, polychaete worms, molluscs, small fish, and mysids (small shrimp-like creatures). They will even scavenge on dead animals they find.
Life Cycle of the Northern Kingfish
In the eastern United States, northern kingfish lay their eggs from April to August. This process is called spawning. Their eggs are round and contain small oil droplets. These eggs float freely in the water and are carried by ocean currents.
As the eggs develop, the young larvae look a bit like tadpoles, with large heads. By the time the young fish, called fry, are about 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) long, their soft dorsal and anal fin rays have already appeared. When they reach 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) in length, their spiny rays have also grown. At this stage, their bodies are covered in special cells called melanophores, which give them color.
By their first winter, these young fish are about 12 centimeters (4.7 inches) long. They grow to about 25 centimeters (9.8 inches) by their second winter.
Why Are Northern Kingfish Important?
The northern kingfish is not usually caught by large fishing companies. However, it is a popular fish for people who enjoy fishing for fun. From New Jersey southwards, it provides good sport for anglers fishing from the beach (surf anglers) or from boats close to the shore.
People often use pieces of squid, clams, or bloodworms as bait to catch them. The northern kingfish is known for its tasty white meat.
