ATLANTIC CROAKER

Appearance:
Body is silvery gray or bronze, iridescent on head | Indistinct wavy bars or lines on upper sides | Strongly serrated preopercle (bone on cheek) | Small barbells on lower jaw |

Habitat:
Generally found north of Tampa Bay on the west coast and north of Cape Canaveral on the east coast. Young found in estuaries and older fish (2 to 3 years) inhabit deep offshore waters during the winter months and move into bays and estuaries during the spring, summer and fall.