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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Subtropical

Spotfin croaker

Roncador stearnsii Steindachner, 1876
Max Length
70 cm
Max Weight
4.8 kg
Lifespan
15 yrs
Trophic Level
3.3
Depth
1–22 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
39.00/100
Typical Length
30 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Occur in sandy shores and bays, mostly in shallow surf zones, but also to 15 m depth. Often found near rocks and entrances to bays. Usually form small groups, but aggregate for spawning. Pelagic spawners . Feed on invertebrates, such as marine worms, clams, crabs and small crustaceans.

Scientific Name
Roncador stearnsii
Authority
Steindachner, 1876
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
70 cm
Max Weight
4.8 kg
Lifespan
15 years
Depth Range
1–22 m
Trophic Level
3.3
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
39.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Spotfin croaker is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Spotfin croaker is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Spawn Location
Pelagic

Pelagic spawner .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 1 - 22 m . Subtropical; 42°N - 22°N, 125°W - 106°W

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.3±0.44
Food Items

invertebrates, such as marine worms, clams, crabs and small crustaceans

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00871 × L3.07 (TL)
Max TL
70cm
Max Weight
4,800g

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2020

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
39.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.3
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Steindachner, 1876

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Spotfin croaker is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 19.6 g
Omega-3 (total) 261 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Spotfin croaker has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Croaker · spotfin croaker
🇫🇷French Courbine tachetée
🇪🇸Spanish Corvina de aleta manchada · roncador aleta manchada · Roncador manchado

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 8 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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View all observations for Spotfin croaker ↗
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