California corbina

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California corbina

Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Acanthuriformes
Family: Sciaenidae
Genus: Menticirrhus
Species:
M. undulatus
Binomial name
Menticirrhus undulatus
(Girard, 1854)
Wild California corbina photographed at La Jolla Shores Beach in San Diego, CA.
Illustration by California Department of Fish and Wildlife

The California corbina (Menticirrhus undulatus), or California kingcroaker, is marine demersal fish in the croaker family. It can often be found along sandy beaches and in shallow bays. This species travels in small groups along the surf zone in a few inches of water to depths of 20 meters (66 ft). Other names include "California kingcroaker," "California whiting," and "kingfish".

Description

California corbina are uniformly grey in color with some iridescence and have an elongated and slightly compressed body shape in comparison to other croakers.

caudal fin has a concave trailing edge, while the lower half trailing edge is convex.[2] The largest recorded specimen was 28 inches (710 mm) and 8.5 pounds.[2][3]

Distribution and habitat

California corbina is reported to occur from the Gulf of California, Mexico, to Point Conception, California.[2][3] However, the IUCN questions the extent of the California corbina's southern range due to the presence of similar and easily misidentified species that exist in the Gulf of California.[1]

California corbina are commonly found in the shallow troughs and ditches running parallel sandy beaches and shallow bays up to a depth of 20 meters (66 ft).[2][1] California corbina are often found in small groups, however, adults have been observed traveling solitarily as well. The California Corbina works the shallows of sandy beaches searching for food in the shallows and seeking cover below the rough white water created by waves.[3]

Ecology

Diet

The California corbina's diet consists of crustaceans, small fish, bivalves, and other small invertebrates.

gills and spitting out bits of clam shells and other foreign matter.[2]

Life cycle

Males mature at approximately 2 years of age and a length of about 10 inches and females at age 3 and about 13 inches in length.[2] Spawning extends from June to September, but is heaviest during July and August.[2] The eggs are free floating.[2] Population size, recruitment, and mortality of this species is currently unknown.[1]

Fisheries

The California corbina is targeted by commercial and sport fisheries.[1] California corbina may be caught throughout the year, but fishing reaches its peak in summer and late fall.[1] Due to the fact that California corbina live near shore, they are most often caught by fishermen on beaches, piers, and jetties; not on private boats or fishing vessels.[1] This species is occasionally caught as by-catch by shrimp trawling vessels.[1]

Conservation status

The

IUCN has assessed the California corbina as data deficient due to outstanding questions about the species' distribution.[1] There are no known conservation efforts that specifically target the California corbina, however, part of its distribution is protected by various marine protected areas.[1] There has been a decline in catch since the early 2000s, but it is not known if this reflects a decline in population.[1]

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T183602A131029324.en
    . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Marine Sportfish Identification -- Croakers Group". 2007-02-08. Archived from the original on 2007-02-08. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  3. ^
    OCLC 8668331.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  4. ^
    ISBN 9780520246539
    .
  5. ISSN 0185-3880
    .
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