Project Description
Southern Kingfish
Menticirrhus americanus
Range/Geographical Distribution: New York to Texas and the Bay of Campeche to Argentina.
Habitat: Shallow coastal waters, including beaches and estuaries.
Description: Gray/brown above, silver sides, and seven or eight diagonal dark streaks along the body. One barbel on chin, mouth inferior.
Size: Can reach 15 inches in length and weigh 2.5 pounds.
Food: Use barbel to find worms, crabs, and shrimp.
Breeding: Spawn April through September and larvae use nearshore waters such as beaches and estuaries as nursery grounds.
Predators: Sharks and larger predatory fishes.
Conservation Status: No legal status.
Interesting Facts: Southern kingfish, also known as whiting, reach sexual maturity at one year of age.
On the Coast: Southern kingfish are common on the Georgia coast and are an important fishery species both commercially and recreationally.