Species profiles - life histories and environmental requirements (Gulf of Mexico): Atlantic croaker

Technical Report · Tue Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6090864

Lassuy, D R

Species profiles are literature summaries on the taxonomy, morphology, range, life history, and environmental requirements of coastal aquatic species. They are designed to assist in environmental impact assessment. The Atlantic croaker, Micropogonias undulatus, is one of the most abundant Gulf of Mexico species and is caught by commercial and sport fishermen. It is the main species of an industrial groundfish fishery and is estuarine dependent. Spawning occurs from October to March in the nearshore Gulf of Mexico and larvae move into and use shallow estuarine areas, usually near marshes, for nurseries. Postlarvae and juveniles remain in estuaries until fall when they migrate to the Gulf of Mexico. Adults inhabit estuaries, inshore, and offshore waters. Croakers have high mortality rates and few live beyond 5 years. Adults are primarily benthic carnivores. Adults have been collected in a temperature range of 5/sup 0/ to 35.5/sup 0/C and a salinity range of 0.2 to 75 ppt. Early life stages tolerate lower temperatures and salinites better than the adults.

• Research Organization: Fish and Wildlife Service, Slidell, LA (USA). National Coastal Ecosystems Team
• OSTI ID: 6090864
• Report Number(s): FWS/OBS-82/11.3; ON: DE83902495
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
FISHES
ECOLOGY
DATA COMPILATION
ESTUARIES
FISHING INDUSTRY
GULF OF MEXICO
HABITAT
POPULATIONS
REPRODUCTION
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
TAXONOMY
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BIOLOGY
CARIBBEAN SEA
DATA
DISTRIBUTION
INDUSTRY
INFORMATION
NUMERICAL DATA
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
VERTEBRATES
520100* - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (-1989)