Gulf kingcroaker (Menticirrhus littoralis)

General data
- Main name: Gulf kingcroaker
- Climates: Tropical, Subtropical
- Habitat: Saltwater
- Native: North America, South America
- Distribution: Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea
Classification
- Genus: Menticirrhus - Kingcroakers
- Family: Sciaenidae - Drums
- Order: Acanthuriformes - Surgeonfishes
- Class: Teleostei - Ray-finned fishes
- Superclass: Osteichthyes - Bony fishes
Description
Inhabits tropical and subtropical coastal waters of western Atlantic, especially along sandy shores and lagoons, from Virginia, USA and the continental coast of the Gulf of Mexico to Rio Grande del Sur, Brazil. Max length : 48.3 cm TL; common length : 30 cm TL; max. published weight: 1.4 kg Grayish brown above, shading to silvery below, no prominent bars. Lower jaw has single, stout, peg-like barbel with pore at tip. Scales on belly smaller than those on side.