Range and Behavior
The spot croaker is most commonly found between the Chesapeake Bay and South Carolina. It is also found along the Atlantic coast of the US, the Florida Keys, and the Gulf of Mexico, but in smaller populations. They inhabit costal areas, no deeper than 60 m. This appears to be due to the tendency of Spot croakers to ascend in response to higher salinity concentrations which would be experienced in the lower depths. During the summer months, spot croakers inhabit shallower bays and estuaries and move out into the costal waters during the winter months as the temperature drops; the northern populations also migrate south for the winter until the water warms up again.
Spot croakers are bottom feeders, and their diets consist of worms, mollusks,small crustaceans, and detritus. As they grow, the size of their prey increases. Predators of the spot croaker include striped bass, weakfish, summer flounder, bluefish, and various species of sharks.
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