Whitemouth croaker
Micropogonias furnieri
It is a coastal fish that usually grows to about 30–60 cm in length. It has a silvery body and uses sensitive barbels under its mouth to help find food on the seafloor. This species often swims in schools and spends much of its time in estuaries, bays, and shallow coastal waters.
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About this species
Species identity
It is a coastal fish that usually grows to about 30–60 cm in length. It has a silvery body and uses sensitive barbels under its mouth to help find food on the seafloor. This species often swims in schools and spends much of its time in estuaries, bays, and shallow coastal waters.
Where it lives
It is found along the Atlantic coast of South America, from the Caribbean region to northern Patagonia in Argentina. It is especially common in estuaries, coastal lagoons, bays, and shallow shelf waters. This species often moves between freshwater-influenced estuaries and nearby marine habitats during its life cycle.
Role in the ecosystem
Micropogonias furnieri feeds on worms, crustaceans, mollusks, and other small animals living on or in the seafloor. It helps transfer energy from bottom-dwelling organisms to larger predators in coastal ecosystems. It is an important food fish which is usually marketed fresh and salted.
Scientific reference
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FAQ
Why is it called the whitemouth croaker?
It gets its name from the pale color inside its mouth and from the croaking sounds it can produce by vibrating special muscles near its swim bladder.
How does Micropogonias furnieri find food on the seafloor?
It uses sensory organs around its mouth, like small whisker, to detect prey hidden in sand or mud, helping it find food even in cloudy water.