Overview
The most caught fish in the South American Atlantic. Present in huge schools from Argentina to southern Brazil.
Identification
prominent lower mouthctenoid scaleswell-defined lateral linelong dorsal findark spots on the sidesslightly forked caudal fin
- Body
- The body is elongated with a slightly arched dorsal profile.
- Colouration
- The body color ranges from silvery gray to golden, with a white belly.
- Sexual dimorphism
- absent/not prominent
- Growth
- fast in nutrient-rich environments
Taxonomy
- Family
- Sciaenidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Micropogonias undulatusCynoscion nebulosusPogonias cromisLarimus brevicepsStellifer rastrifer
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- estuaries, coast, brackish
- Preferred bottom
- sand, mud, estuarine
- Geographic distribution
- Found along the Atlantic coast of South America, from Argentina to southern Brazil.
- Micro-habitat
- Often hides in sandy or muddy bottoms of estuarine areas.
Estuaries provide a nutrient-rich and sheltered environment.
Presence by sea area
Sa Atlantico SwPeak
Sa Brasile EstPeak
Sa Brasile SudPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- small fish, shrimp, crustaceans
- Secondary prey
- mollusks, annelids, insect larvae
- Occasional prey
- plankton, algae
- Feeding behaviour
- Feeds primarily on the bottom, using its prominent lower mouth to sift through sediment for prey.
- Natural predators
- sharks, tunas, dolphins
Plays an important role in controlling small crustacean populations.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- large_schools
- Aggressiveness
- low
- Migration
- Undergoes seasonal migrations to warmer areas for spawning.
- Seasonal behaviour
- Approaches coasts in spring and summer for reproduction.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles are often found in shallower, sheltered estuarine waters.
- Adults
- Adults form large schools and move between estuaries and coastal waters.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- November, December, January
- Spawning depth
- between 10 and 30 meters
- Eggs
- pelagic eggs, small and transparent
- Larval stage
- Larvae are pelagic, floating near the surface until metamorphosis.
- Sexual maturity
- 2-4 years
When to catch Whitemouth croaker
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Dayalba, tramonto
Nightnotte
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Very active, feeds voraciously.
Medium
Constant activity, responds to various baits.
High
Less active but present.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
river mouthslagoonssandy shoresestuarine waters
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
gill netsset netscasting rodslonglines
Other applicable
Pesca A FondoSurfcastingSurfcasting PesanteBeach FishingBeach LedgeringBolentinoBolentino MedioSpinningSpinning LeggeroSurfcasting MedioSurfcasting Notturno
Recommended baits
shrimpsquid stripsfish chunksmarine worms
Baits by pressure
Low
Paddle tail softbaitShrimp artificiale (gomma)Jig head + softbaitMinnow affondanteShad softbaitVibe lure / Blade
Medium
Gambero morto / GamberoGambero vivoGranchio morto / pezziGranchio vivoPezzo di pesceStriscia di calamaro
High
Esca naturale (generica)ArenicolaBibi
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- The fish puts up a moderate fight, often trying to swim in circles.
- Handling
- Handle gently to avoid damaging the fins.
- Release
- Release quickly and ensure it swims away strongly.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The southern corvina is a prized sportfish along South American coasts. The largest documented specimens reach 15 kg, a significant weight for a member of the Sciaenidae family.
- In the kitchen
- Its flesh is highly valued, used in dishes like mixed fry and ceviche.
- Cultural notes
- In some countries, it's considered a symbol of fertility due to its abundance.
- Historical notes
- Traditionally fished by South American coastal communities for generations.
