White croaker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White croaker |
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The White Croaker (Genyonemus lineatus) is a type of fish. It lives in the eastern Pacific Ocean. These fish are found along the coast from Magdalena Bay, Baja California, up to Vancouver Island, British Columbia. However, they are not very common north of San Francisco.
White Croakers often swim together in loose groups. They stay near the sandy bottom of the ocean. Sometimes, they gather in shallow bays or near the beach. Most of the time, they live in offshore areas. They prefer depths from about 10 to 100 feet (3 to 30 meters). Rarely, they can be found as deep as 650 feet (200 meters).
The White Croaker is the only fish species in its group, which is called Genyonemus. Other common names for this fish include "Pasadena trout," "tommy croaker," and "little bass."
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What Does a White Croaker Look Like?
The White Croaker has a long body that is a bit flat on the sides. Its head is oval-shaped and rounded. The mouth is located slightly underneath its head. The fish's back is a shiny brownish or yellowish color. Its belly is silvery. The fins are yellow or white.
The White Croaker is one of five types of California croakers. All of these fish have mouths located under their heads. You can tell a White Croaker apart from a California corbina or yellowfin croaker. This is because it does not have a single fleshy projection, called a barbel, on its lower jaw.
White Croakers also have 12 to 15 spines in their first dorsal fin. This helps tell them apart from other croakers with mouths under their heads. Other similar croakers have no more than 11 spines in this fin.
What Do White Croakers Eat?
White Croakers eat many different things. They feed on other fish, squid, shrimp, octopus, worms, small crabs, and clams. They eat both living and dead food.
Scientists believe that some White Croakers can live for 15 years or more. They often reproduce for the first time when they are 2 or 3 years old. At this age, they are only about 5 to 6 inches (12 to 15 cm) long. They weigh less than 2 ounces (45 grams). The largest White Croaker ever recorded was about 16 inches (41.4 cm) long. A White Croaker that was 14.5 inches (36.8 cm) long weighed 1 pound 6.5 ounces (640 grams).
How to Catch a White Croaker
These fish are quite easy to catch. You can use almost any kind of animal bait. They are often caught from piers or jetties in areas with sand or sandy mud. In fact, they are so easy to hook that many people who fish consider them a bit of a bother!
If you want to catch White Croakers specifically, try using a tough bait like squid. This type of bait is harder for them to steal. When hooked, White Croakers do not put up much of a fight. You can catch them well throughout the entire year.
White Croaker in Food
The meat from White Croakers has been used in food. It is sometimes used as an ingredient to help make Crab stick.
