The Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sciaenidae and is closely related to the black drum (Pogonias cromis), the silver perch (Bairdiella chrysoura), the spot croaker (Leiostomus xanthurus), the red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), the spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), and the weakfish (Cynoscion regalis). It is commonly found in sounds and estuaries from Massachusetts to the Gulf of Mexico.
| Atlantic Croaker Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Atlantic Croaker |
| Scientific Name: | Micropogonias undulatus |
| Origin | Native to coastal waters in the western Atlantic Ocean |
| Colors | Silvery-pink |
| Flesh colors | Firm, pink |
| Taste | Sweet |
| Calories | 192 Kcal./cup |
| Major nutrients | Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamine) (76.25%) Selenium (61.45%) Isoleucine (44.08%) Tryptophan (41.14%) Lysine (40.88%) |
Generally fish Atlantic croaker is rich in mild waters of Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Argentina. It is an important group of fish incorporating parts of Texas croaker, yellowtail, and well known, the brilliant. Atlantic croaker has some territorial names such as brocading, hardhead, spot balance, ruler Billie and malcontents. It has got its name from the ability to make low croaking clamor by getting muscles around its air bladder. Still unclear that the croaking is a form of communication within the school of fish or a means of depth sounding or mating expression but considered that it makes sound often during the breeding season.
Amerikaanse zeeraaf, Atlantic croaker, Atlantic croaker, Corvina, Croaker, Crocus, Hardhead, Roncadina, King Billies, Hard Heads, Grumblers, and Silver weakfish are the popular names from which Atlantic Croaker is known. Scientifically known as Micropogonias undulates, is a marine ray-finned fish species that belong to the Sciaendia family and is closely associated with the black drum (Pogonias cromis), the spot croaker (Leiostomus xanthurus), the red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), the silver perch (Bairdiella chrysoura), the weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) and the spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus). Atlantic croaker is found commonly in sounds & estuaries from Massachusetts to the Gulf of Mexico. Believed to be also live on the coasts of Southern Brazil and Argentina.
Description
Atlantic croaker is the loudest in the drum family. Also referred to as a hardhead as it has smaller ones called pinheads. From August to October during the spawning season, turns deep golden color. At the beginning of August, tiny young come to the Chesapeake Bay and travel to low salinity or freshwater creeks. It moves to deeper parts of tidal rivers for winter. With the adults, juveniles leave the Bay following autumn. When grown fully up to 2 or 3 years, it reaches between 1 to ½ feet long and 4 to 5 pounds. On average, they are ½ to 2 pounds. It could tolerate a wide range of environments and also adapt well to captivity.
Appearance
It has a silvery body with a pinkish glow and a silvery or brassy white belly. On its back, it has brassy brown spots from faint and irregular stripes. It measures about 18 to 20 inches long but could be up to 24 inches. It has 3 to 5 pairs of small barbels on its chin. The tail fin is slightly pointed and has a deep notch in the dorsal fin.
Reproduction and Life cycle
They reach sexual maturity about one-year-old along Gulf Coast. Spawning season is in fall with a peak between August and October. In the spawning season, females releases from 1,00,000 and 2 million eggs, each about 0.35 mm in diameter.
The larvae drift towards land after hatching. On soft bottoms such as mud, they are abundant having a large amount of detritus to feed on. They could live up to eight years. Striped bass, spotted seatrout, sharks, humans, and other croakers are their predators. Due to predation, more than 95% of the population of Atlantic croakers dies every year.
Feeding Behaviour
Atlantic Croaker prey upon mollusks bristle worms, small fish, and crustaceans. The larvae consume pteropods, tintinnids, ostracods, pelecypods, naupliar, egg, copepodid, and adult stages of copepods.
Predators
Weakfish, bluefish, and striped bass prey on Atlantic croaker.
Nutritional value of Fish, croaker, Atlantic, cooked, breaded and fried
Calories 192 Kcal. Calories from Fat 99.18 Kcal.
| Proximity | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 51.99 g | N/D |
| Energy | 192 Kcal | N/D |
| Energy | 805 kJ | N/D |
| Protein | 15.83 g | 31.66% |
| Total Fat (lipid) | 11.02 g | 31.49% |
| Ash | 1.19 g | N/D |
| Carbohydrate | 6.56 g | 5.05% |
| Total dietary Fiber | 0.3 g | 0.79% |
| Minerals | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium, Ca | 28 mg | 2.80% |
| Iron, Fe | 0.75 mg | 9.38% |
| Magnesium, Mg | 37 mg | 8.81% |
| Phosphorus, P | 189 mg | 27.00% |
| Potassium, K | 296 mg | 6.30% |
| Sodium, Na | 303 mg | 20.20% |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.45 mg | 4.09% |
| Copper, Cu | 0.057 mg | 6.33% |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.07 mg | 3.04% |
| Selenium, Se | 33.8 µg | 61.45% |
| Vitamins | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Water soluble Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) | 0.078 mg | 6.50% |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.113 mg | 8.69% |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 3.741 mg | 23.38% |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0.644 mg | 12.88% |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | 0.226 mg | 17.38% |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 30 µg | 7.50% |
| Folic Acid | 14 µg | N/D |
| Folate, food | 16 µg | N/D |
| Folate, DEF | 39 µg | N/D |
| Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamine) | 1.83 µg | 76.25% |
| Fat soluble Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin A, RAE | 20 µg | 2.86% |
| Vitamin A, IU | 65 IU | N/D |
| Retinol | 20 µg | N/D |
| Lipids | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.024 g | N/D |
| Myristic acid 14:00(Tetradecanoic acid) | 0.077 g | N/D |
| Palmitic acid 16:00 (Hexadecanoic acid) | 1.909 g | N/D |
| Stearic acid 18:00 (Octadecanoic acid) | 1.038 g | N/D |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.628 g | N/D |
| Palmitoleic acid 16:1 (hexadecenoic acid) | 0.386 g | N/D |
| Oleic acid 18:1 (octadecenoic acid) | 4.166 g | N/D |
| Gadoleic acid 20:1 (eicosenoic acid) | 0.069 g | N/D |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.538 g | N/D |
| Linoleic acid 18:2 (octadecadienoic acid) | 2.067 g | N/D |
| 20:4 undifferentiated | 0.077 g | N/D |
| 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.098 g | N/D |
| 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.069 g | N/D |
| 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.077 g | N/D |
| Cholesterol | 73 mg | N/D |
| Amino acids | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Tryptophan | 0.181 g | 41.14% |
| Threonine | 0.686 g | 38.98% |
| Isoleucine | 0.737 g | 44.08% |
| Leucine | 1.288 g | 34.85% |
| Lysine | 1.367 g | 40.88% |
| Methionine | 0.457 g | N/D |
| Cystine | 0.189 g | N/D |
| Phenylalanine | 0.646 g | N/D |
| Tyrosine | 0.54 g | N/D |
| Valine | 0.824 g | 39.02% |
| Arginine | 0.923 g | N/D |
| Histidine | 0.457 g | 37.09% |
| Alanine | 0.928 g | N/D |
| Aspartic acid | 1.558 g | N/D |
| Glutamic acid | 2.593 g | N/D |
| Glycine | 0.74 g | N/D |
| Proline | 0.66 g | N/D |
| Serine | 0.686 g | N/D |
*Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not healthbenefitstimes.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weighs 194 lbs.
Health Benefits
How many vitamins in Croaker Fish
Your body needs vitamins in adequate intake to work properly. Nevertheless How many Vitamins can I find in this food? Discover here the amounts present in each of the listed vitamins and useful facts about them.
Some of the vitamins found in Croaker Fish are Vitamin A (41 IU), Vitamin B-9 (15 mg), and Vitamin B-3 (4.2 mg).
- Vitamin A – Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin whose absorption goes through the digestion process. Subsequently, this vitamin can be used for body functions or sent for storage in the liver and fat cells. 41 IU of Vitamin A can be found on every 100 grams of Croaker Fish, 1% of the total daily recommended Vitamin A intake.
- Vitamin B-12 – Vitamin B12 is one of 8 B vitamins. The body needs this B12 vitamin to make blood cells and to maintain a healthy nervous system. For this reason, is essential to include this vitamin in your routine diet plan. 100 grams of Croaker Fish contains 2.5 micrograms of Vitamin B12, that’s the 42% of the daily recommended value for an adult.
- Vitamin D – Vitamin D helps the intestine absorb nutrients, prevents osteomalacia and rickets, regulates blood pressure, and assists in the absorption of calcium in the body, which prevents osteoporosis or arthritis. 100 grams of Croaker Fish contains 0.7 micrograms of Vitamin D, that’s 7% of the daily recommended value for an adult.
- Vitamin E – The American Heart Association recommends obtaining health benefits of vitamin E antioxidants. Vitamin E is a group of eight compounds called tocopherols and tocotrienols which reduce cholesterol and the risk of developing diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer. In 100 grams of Croaker Fish, you can find 1.29 milligrams of Vitamin E. It provides 9% of the daily recommended value for the average adult.
- Vitamin K – Vitamin K, also called Phylloquinone, offers protection against health problems like Osteoporosis, Brain health problems, Arterial calcification, varicose veins, and specifics cancer diseases -Prostate cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, and leukemia. 0.1 micrograms of Vitamin K can be found on every 100 grams of Croaker Fish, the 0% of the total daily recommended Vitamin K intake.
- Vitamin B-1 – Vitamin B1 is one of the eight water-soluble B vitamins. it plays an essential role in the production of energy from food, the conduction of nerve impulses, and the synthesis of nucleic acids. 100 grams of Croaker Fish contains 0.07 milligrams of Vitamin B-1, that’s 5% of the daily recommended value for an adult.
- Vitamin B-2 – The main functions of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) are connected to its role as a helper to the body to convert vitamin B6 and vitamin B9 into active forms, neutralize ‘free radicals that can damage cells, and produce energy converting food into glucose. In 100 grams of Croaker Fish, you can find 0.09 milligrams of Vitamin B-2. It provides 5% of the daily recommended value for the average adult.
- Vitamin B-3 – Vitamin B3 is one of the water-soluble B vitamins. It is also known as niacin (nicotinic acid) and plays an important role in the disease risk reduction of diseases like Cancer and Diabetes. In 100 grams of Croaker Fish, you can find 4.2 milligrams of Vitamin B-3. It provides 21% of the daily recommended value for the average adult.
- Vitamin B-5 – Vitamin B5 is known as pantothenic, is really nice at strengthening the immune system, enhance the level of hemoglobin in the human body, and assists the liver in metabolizing toxic substances. 100 grams of Croaker Fish contains 0.75 milligrams of Vitamin B-5, that’s 8% of the daily recommended value for an adult.
- Vitamin B-9 – Folic acid (Vitamin B9) is essential for the proper functioning of the body and healthy living. It plays an important role in maintaining the healthy digestive system, hair, skin, kidneys, and eyes. 100 grams of Croaker Fish contains 15 micrograms of Vitamin B-9, that’s 4% of the daily recommended value for an adult.
Minerals in Croaker Fish
Minerals are inorganic substances required in small amounts by the body for a variety of different functions. Your body needs larger amounts of some minerals, such as calcium, to grow and stay healthy. Other minerals like copper or iodine are called trace minerals because you only need very small amounts of them each day.
Some of the minerals found in Croaker Fish are Potassium (345 mg), Phosphorus (210 mg), and Sodium (56 mg).
- Calcium – This vital mineral is best known to strengthen bones, teeth, the heart, and slash your risk of developing a number of diseases like hypertension or seizures. In 100 grams of Croaker Fish, you can find 15 milligrams of calcium. It provides 2% of the daily recommended value for the average person.
- Iron – Iron is an essential element for almost all living organisms as it participates in a wide variety of highly complex metabolic processes including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis, and oxygen/electron transport. 100 grams of Croaker Fish contains 0.37 milligrams of iron, that’s 2% of the daily recommended value for one person.
- Potassium – An adequate intake of potassium is important to maintain normal body growth, control the acid-base balance, build proteins, regulate digestive functioning, build muscle, and control the electrical activity of the heart. 345 milligrams of potassium can be found on every 100 grams of Croaker Fish, 7% of the total daily recommended potassium intake.
- Magnesium – Magnesium is an essential element for energy storage in the body’s cells. This mineral provides energy for almost all metabolic processes, being necessary for more than 300 chemical reactions in the human body. In 100 grams of Croaker Fish, you can find 40 milligrams of magnesium. It provides 10% of the daily recommended value for the average adult.
- Phosphorus – Next to calcium, phosphorus is the most abundant mineral in the body and has an important role in activities for different body parts like the brain, kidney, heart, and blood. Health benefits of phosphorous include cellular repair, protein formation, hormonal balance, improved digestion, proper nutrient utilization, and healthy bone formation. 210 milligrams of phosphorus can be found on every 100 grams of Croaker Fish, 21% of the total daily recommended phosphorus intake.
- Sodium – The optimal sodium intake allows the creation of electrolytes and an essential ion present in the extracellular fluid (ECF). However, high levels of sodium in the body are associated with high blood pressure and hypertension. 100 grams of Croaker Fish contains 56 milligrams of sodium, that’s 4% of the daily recommended value for one person.
- Zinc – Zinc is a really vital mineral for the human body as it helps in the regulation of cells production in the immune system. The health benefits of Zinc include reduction of stress levels, control of diabetes, digestion, proper functioning of the immune system, and energy metabolism. 100 grams of Croaker Fish contains 0.42 milligrams of zinc, that’s 3% of the daily recommended value for one person.
- Copper – Copper is an essential trace mineral present in all body tissues. This Mineral regulates various physiologic pathways, such as iron metabolism, connective tissue maturation, neurotransmission, and energy production. 0.04 milligrams of copper can be found on every 100 grams of Croaker Fish, 2% of the total daily recommended copper intake.
- Manganese – Manganese mineral is important in the healthy bone structure metabolism and formation -helping to create essential enzymes for building bones- play a key role in the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. 0.02 milligrams of manganese can be found on every 100 grams of Croaker Fish, 1% of the total daily recommended manganese intake.
- Selenium – Selenium is an essential trace mineral that the body needs to stay healthy. Scientists and researchers suggest that Selenium prevents certain cancers such as stomach, colon, bladder, lung, skin, esophagus, and prostate. In 100 grams of Croaker Fish, you can find 36.5 micrograms of selenium. It provides 52% of the daily recommended value for the average adult.
Life History
The Atlantic croaker is a very important commercial fish. Millions of pounds are caught and sold every year in the United States and exported to other countries. The annual catch of croaker has declined in the past few years, probably due to overfishing. The best times for fishing for Atlantic croaker are from summer into the fall. They are easily caught on bait (dead shrimp) when fishing on the bottom. Small Atlantic croakers are used as baitfish to catch other fish, especially spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) and crabs.
Atlantic croakers “croak” by vibrating their swim bladders with special muscles as part of their spawning ritual. A swim bladder is a pocket full of air inside the fish that helps keep it afloat and facing upright. This behavior attracts females. Along the Gulf Coast, they reach sexual maturity at about one year old. This varies in other areas. Spawning season is in the fall, with a peak between August and October. During spawning season, females will release between 100,000 and 2 million eggs, each about 0.35 mm in diameter. After hatching, the larvae (immature stage) drift toward land. They are abundant on soft bottoms, such as mud, where there are large amounts of detritus for them to feed on. The Atlantic croaker’s diet includes shrimp, crabs, and detritus (dead and decomposing plant and animal matter).
Atlantic croaker can live up to eight years. Their predators include striped bass, shark, spotted seatrout, other croakers, and humans. Croakers that lives in the northern part of their range mature later and lives longer than those in the southern part of their range. Because of predation, more than 95% of the Atlantic croaker population dies every year. Atlantic croakers should not be eaten raw because they may pass trematodes (parasites) to humans. The croaker is closely related to spotted seatrout and red drum.
How to Eat
- It could be fried, baked, broiled, and microwaved.
- Skinned fillets for pan-frying and also poaching.
- Atlantic croaker could be breaded and dusted with flour or cornmeal and also pan-fried.
- It could be marinated, sautéed or grilled, broiled and roasted.
- Meat could be steamed whole.
Other Facts
- Usually, Atlantic croakers are known as hardheads and small croakers are known to be pinheads.
- It is well known as recreational anglers.
- Croakers belong to the drum family that includes weakfish, spot, black drum, red drum, and spotted seatrout.
- All drums make a croaking or loud drumming by vibrating their swim bladders with the use of special muscles.
- In August 2007, Chesapeake Bay recorded Atlantic croaker which weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces, and measured 27 inches long.
Precautions
- The consumption of sea fish if one is trying to reduce inflammatory diseases such as heart disease.
- Farmed ones contain arsenic that leads to arsenic poisoning.
- Seafood should be cooked safely in order to prevent foodborne illness.
- Pregnant women, young children, older adults, people having lower stomach acid and compromised immune systems (HIV/AIDS, liver disease, cancer, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, people taking steroids, chemotherapy, or immune system) are prone to higher risk.
- It might be contaminated with bacteria such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, and other bacteria relate to land use, sewage discharges, runoff, etc. These microorganisms occur naturally in warm coastal waters which could cause even death or serious illness in individuals who are at higher risk.
- Listeria monocytogenes could cause a serious foodborne illness known as listeriosis.
- The virus Hepatitis A could survive in light cooking. So one should consume it after being properly cooked.
- Fish could have toxins that could cause illness such as ciguatoxin and scombrotoxin, or histamine poisoning.
- Sea fish is related to Scombrotoxin (histamine) which develops when fish is not kept cold enough. The symptoms develop quickly and also disappear completely within 24 hours.
- The flesh of tropical marine fishes might cause ciguatera poisoning experiencing gastrointestinal maladies that could last for several days, weakness in arms and legs, and reversal inability to differentiate between cold and hot. The symptoms could persist for weeks.
- Farmed seafood results in to increase in inflammation leading to weight gain, arthritis, and heart diseases.
- The imbalance ratio of Omega-6 and Omega-3 causes heart disease and hypertension.
- Seafood and fish in farms have polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organophosphorus (OPs), organochlorine (OC), trifluralin pesticides, and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) causing diseases or even death.
- The seafood has a high content of mercury, which may lead to mercury toxicity.
- Consume it in moderate amounts. So consume it with caution or Avoid consuming it raw.
- Some people might get allergic reactions. So avoid it.
- It has a high chance of contamination.
- One should limit its intake.
- Consult the doctor by pregnant women and children before consuming it. Children and pregnant women should avoid it because the high content of mercury might cause a negative impact on the development of the nervous system of a fetus.
References
