Croaker, also known as Atlantic croaker, is a common nearshore fish found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. It gets its name from the croaking or drumming sound it makes by vibrating its swim bladder. Croaker is popular among recreational anglers and commercial fishermen alike. But is it actually a good fish to eat? Let’s take a deeper look at croaker to find out.
What is Croaker Fish?
Croaker belongs to the drum family Sciaenidae, which includes other fish like redfish, black drum, and spotted seatrout. It has an elongated, compressed body that is gray, brown, or olive in color. Distinctive features include a chin barbel, large mouth, and sharp spines on the anal fin.
Croakers are bottom-dwelling fish, meaning they live on the sandy or muddy bottoms of bays, estuaries, and nearshore waters. They use their barbels to probe and pick up food from the sediment. Croaker eat a variety of small organisms like worms, shrimp, crabs, clams, squid, and fish.
Size and Lifespan
Croaker can reach up to 24 inches in length and 5 pounds in weight. However, they are more commonly caught at 12-18 inches and 1-3 pounds. Their maximum reported lifespan is 17 years.
Range and Habitat
Croaker are found along the western Atlantic coast from New Jersey to Florida, and all throughout the Gulf of Mexico. They inhabit nearshore waters up to about 130 feet deep. Croaker prefer sandy or muddy bottoms in bays, estuaries, tidal creeks, and other coastal areas. They can tolerate salinities from almost freshwater to fully marine.
Some key facts about croaker:
- Species name: Micropogonias undulatus
- Also called: Atlantic croaker, hardhead
- Max size: 24 inches, 5 pounds
- Lifespan: Up to 17 years
- Range: New Jersey to Florida, Gulf of Mexico
- Habitat: Nearshore waters, bays, estuaries
- Diet: Worms, shrimp, crabs, clams, more
Now that we know what a croaker is, let’s look at how good it is to eat.
Is Croaker Good Eating?
So is croaker considered a tasty, high-quality table fare? Here are the main pros and cons of eating croaker fish:
Pros
- Mild, sweet flavor
- Firm, flaky texture
- Low mercury levels
- High omega-3 fatty acids
- Sustainably fished
- Low cost and widely available
Croaker has a mild, sweet flavor with a firm, flaky texture when cooked. The flesh is white and delicate. The small size makes them easy to cook whole.
Many people consider croaker to have one of the better flavors among fish like spot, pinfish, and mullet. Their small size also lends well to frying up crispy fillets or fish tacos.
Croaker are very low in mercury and high in beneficial omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch rates croaker as a “Best Choice” due to sustainable fishing practices.
They are also inexpensive and accessible. Fresh croaker can be found at local seafood markets in coastal areas. Frozen fillets are widely available.
Cons
- Lots of small bones
- Can taste muddy
- Not impressive visually
The main drawback of croaker is that they are filled with lots of small, annoying bones. This makes them difficult to clean and fillet at home. The bones also end up in cooked fillets.
Croaker live and feed on muddy bottoms, so some people find they can taste muddy or have an unpleasant flavor. Using fresh fish, bleeding upon catch, and soaking in milk or saltwater can help improve taste.
Since croaker are small and slender, they don’t make for the most visually impressive fillet. However, they fry up nicely.
Nutrition Facts
Here is the nutrition information for a 6-ounce cooked portion of croaker according to the USDA:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 179 |
| Fat | 6.7 g |
| Protein | 29.8 g |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 0.9 g |
| Sodium | 140 mg |
| Cholesterol | 102 mg |
Croaker is high in lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids while being low in calories, fat, and sodium. The bones provide calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals.
Overall, croaker is a very nutritious and healthy fish to add to your diet.
Mercury Levels in Croaker
Many types of seafood contain levels of mercury that can be harmful, especially for pregnant women and children. However, croaker tend to have very low mercury levels compared to other fish.
According to testing by the Florida Department of Health, samples of croaker contained an average of just 0.06 parts per million (ppm) of mercury. This is well below the 1 ppm limit considered safe by the EPA and FDA.
For comparison, popular seafood like canned light tuna has around 0.35 ppm of mercury. Tilefish, swordfish, and king mackerel are very high in mercury.
So croaker can be safely enjoyed as part of a healthy diet without worrying about harmful mercury exposure. Pregnant women can safely eat up to 12 ounces per week, and children even more.
How to Cook Croaker
Croaker is a versatile fish that can be prepared using almost any cooking method:
Frying
Deep frying or pan frying are popular ways to prepare croaker. The small fillets cook up light, crispy, and flavorful. Use a light breading or batter.
Baking
Baking croaker fillets keeps them moist while allowing the delicate flavor to shine through. Bake at 400°F for about 15 minutes.
Grilling
Oil the fillets lightly and grill over direct high heat for just 2-3 minutes per side. Grilled croaker pairs well with salsa or blackened seasoning.
Broiling
For easy cleanup, broil croaker on a sheet pan about 6 inches from high heat for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Steaming
Steaming keeps croaker moist and highlights the sweet, mild flavor. It also allows you to easily remove bones afterward.
Soups and Chowders
Cut fillets into chunks and add to seafood soups and chowders. Croaker holds up well without flaking apart.
Tacos
The small fillets are perfect for fish tacos. Cook simply with salt, pepper, and lime juice. Top with cabbage, pico de gallo, and Mexican crema.
Where to Buy Croaker
Here are some of the best places to buy fresh or frozen croaker:
- Local seafood markets in coastal areas
- Fish counters at grocery stores near waterways
- Asian supermarkets often carry whole croaker
- Online seafood delivery services like Sitka Salmon Shares
- Big box stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s
Availability may depend on your location. Croaker is most abundant and affordable along the Gulf Coast and Southeastern Atlantic. Prices typically range from $3 to $7 per pound.
Look for glossy, moist fillets without drying or discoloration. Whole fish should have clear eyes and bright red gills. Fillets and steaks are easier to prepare with fewer bones.
Fishing for Croaker
Atlantic croaker is a popular target for coastal anglers fishing from piers, bridges, beaches, and boats. They bite readily on shrimp, squid, bloodworms, fishbites, and cut bait like mullet.
The best fishing is late spring through fall when croaker migrate into coastal waters and estuaries to spawn and feed. Focus around structure like docks, jetties, oyster reefs, and channel edges. Use light tackle, bottom rigs, and small hooks.
Minimum keeper sizes for croaker range from 9 to 10 inches depending on location. Bag limits help prevent overfishing.
Conclusion
In summary, croaker is widely considered an excellent eating fish despite some small drawbacks. It offers great flavor, texture, nutrition, availability, and affordability.
Croaker provides health benefits with high protein, low fat and calories, omega-3s, and minimal mercury risk. They can be prepared many ways and are easy to find fresh or frozen.
While croaker bones can be annoying, the sweet mild taste and flaky texture make it worth the effort for many seafood lovers. Consider adding croaker to your regular fish rotation for delicious variety.